Request ID: FOI-3212-2324 Date published: 27 December 2023
You asked
F/O from 2815-2324
TfL Ref: 2815-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 6 November 2023 asking for information about Tolworth Roundabout.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions and our replies are as follows:
1. What steps have been taken to mitigate the over running of the roundabout works at Tolworth? TfL holds weekly progress meetings with the build contractor. The build programme is reviewed and consideration given to recovering time at these meetings.
2. Why have these steps been unsuccessful and why are the roadworks over running? The construction of the main element of the scheme was reliant on diversion works being undertaken by utility companies (BT, SGN and others) in advance. The commencement and duration of the utility works was later and took longer than planned from the outset. Unfortunately, TfL has no direct control over the utility companies and their available resources to undertake these essential works.
Comment/Questions: As a local resident affected by the congestion created by these roadworks on a daily basis, I find it extremely frustrating and somewhat flabbergasting that TFL would plan and commence roadworks of this magnitude where essentially the timescale was unknown and out of their control. Reliance on other companies to begin and complete aspects of the diversion work which will have a direct impact on the duration of the entire project, without any controls is frankly a joke. What would have happened if these utility companies had taken even longer delays to begin or complete their work? Would the project just run indefinitely? This is poor planning and poor project management basics! Given the project was due to complete in Oct 23 and now is planned to complete in Apr 24, means that a planned 6 month project will now take 12 months to complete! Not even close to meeting the expected timeframe.
Who is ultimately responsible for this mess? I would like to share my feedback with them directly and would appreciate a contact email or number to f/u on.
3. What ongoing monitoring of the traffic situation are being taken to ensure impact to local residents is minimised? TfL’s Network Performance team have been closely monitoring traffic congestion in the area and the impact on traffic conditions during construction. The signal timings are constantly reviewed and amended to suit changes in the traffic management layouts.
Given that the congestion is terrible and getting worse, I doubt that this is being done effectively. Can you share the monitoring reports? or direct me to where these are hosted on TFL website?
4. What environmental measures are being taken to assess the impact of the traffic build up in the local area, which is part of the ULEZ area? The operation of the roundabout and surrounding roads has been optimised for the current traffic management arrangements. Noise and air quality surveys have been undertaken prior to build and will be revisited once the scheme is completed and fully operational to capture overall benefits.
This doesn't answer my question, I was asking about the environmental measures being assessed and monitored as a result of the congestion created by the roadworks, not a before and after completion comparison.
5. When will the roadworks be completed? Construction of the scheme is planned for completion in April 2024.
Does this new completion date include any aspects that reliant on any 3rd parties that are outside direct control of the TFL team or subcontractors?
6. Is the project within budget? The project is part-funded by 3rd parties and costs are reviewed on a regular basis. The current spend forecast is within the project budget.
What is the project budget for this project?
We answered
TfL Ref: 3212-2324
Thank you for your further request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 6 December 2023 asking for information about Tolworth Roundabout works.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require.
Firstly, please be aware that, under the FOI Act, we do not have to answer a request if it would require the creation of new information or the provision of a judgement, explanation, advice or opinion that was not already recorded at the time of the request. Specifically we are referring to the comments you have made under question 2 of our original reply to you as below. This is a TfL led project and is designed and built by our delivery partner, FM Conway, working closely with the Guinness Partnership and their contractor, Lovell. We welcome any further feedback, questions or concerns about the works which can be sent [email protected] or by contacting us on 0343 222 1234.
Our answers to the remainder of your follow up questions are as below:
3. What ongoing monitoring of the traffic situation are being taken to ensure impact to local residents is minimised? TfL’s Network Performance team have been closely monitoring traffic congestion in the area and the impact on traffic conditions during construction. The signal timings are constantly reviewed and amended to suit changes in the traffic management layouts. Given that the congestion is terrible and getting worse, I doubt that this is being done effectively. Can you share the monitoring reports? or direct me to where these are hosted on TFL website?
There are no monitoring reports available as the assessments are undertaken in real time and signal timings are adjusted to effectively manage any changing traffic conditions to ensure that the roundabout and surrounding road network operate at optimum efficiency.
4. What environmental measures are being taken to assess the impact of the traffic build up in the local area, which is part of the ULEZ area? The operation of the roundabout and surrounding roads has been optimised for the current traffic management arrangements. Noise and air quality surveys have been undertaken prior to build and will be revisited once the scheme is completed and fully operational to capture overall benefits. This doesn't answer my question, I was asking about the environmental measures being assessed and monitored as a result of the congestion created by the roadworks, not a before and after completion comparison.
No environmental assessments are being made during the build phase other than to regularly monitor the traffic congestion and make real time adjustments as described above. Noise and air quality will be undertaken once the scheme is completed and fully operational and figures compared to previous levels to capture overall benefits.
5. When will the roadworks be completed? Construction of the scheme is planned for completion in April 2024. Does this new completion date include any aspects that reliant on any 3rd parties that are outside direct control of the TFL team or subcontractors?
The highway works being undertaken by the developer are due to be substantially complete in January 2024. The remaining utility diversions are also expected to be completed in January 2024
6. Is the project within budget? The project is part-funded by 3rd parties and costs are reviewed on a regular basis. The current spend forecast is within the project budget. What is the project budget for this project?
The project budget is made up of third party funding through Section 106 and TfL's Growth Fund which supports delivery of major transport improvements across the capital to help to unlock new housing and jobs. TfL’s net forecast spend on the development, design and delivery of the scheme is c. £4M
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
