Dorset council rewarded for work on transport routes (From Dorset Echo)

Dorset council rewarded for work on transport routes

4:00pm Friday 5th October 2012 in News By James Tourgout

HIGHWAYS staff at Dorset County Council have scooped a national award for work including the Weymouth Relief Road.

They were awarded Best Service Team Highways, Winter Maintenance and Street Lighting at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards.

Dorset Highways won the title for completing the Weymouth Relief Road and Weymouth Transport Package projects and streamlining the service.

The award also recognised the county council’s use of new technology such as Velocity and Nu-Phalt Infra Red Patching – thermal technology used in road repairs – which have cut operational costs.

Andrew Martin, head of Dorset Highways operations and Coun Peter Finney, who is the cabinet member for transport, were presented with the award by TV personality Carol Smillie at the APSE performance networks awards ceremony in Glasgow.

Coun Finney said: “This award is a testament to the huge amount of effort that every member of Dorset Highways contributes to making our roads safer and into keeping residents of Dorset moving.

“It is often the case that motorists, cyclists and public transport users only notice the ongoing work to maintain our roads when it inevitably causes delays to their journey, rather than our commitment to improving safety, providing greater travel options and delivering value for taxpayers’ money.

“I think this award shows that Dorset Highways really does deliver an excellent service.”

In 2011, the county council’s highways service was a finalist in the category Best Efficiency Initiative category.

In 2010, the highways service won Best Service Team Highways, Winter Maintenance and Street Lighting.

APSE is a not-for-profit body working with over 300 councils nationwide.

The APSE service awards recognise the delivery of excellence in frontline local government services.

APSE chief executive Paul O’Brien said: “The winners of the APSE service awards 2012 are truly the gold medallists of local government.”