ROAD WORKS COMMISSIONER AND INDEPENDENT REVIEW ANNOUNCED
Mr Carmichael B.Sc., C.Eng. M.I.C.E is a Charter Civil Engineer with some 40 years’ experience of roads engineering. Mr Carmichael is currently Service Manager (Network Management) with Fife Council and is an active figure in the road works community in Scotland having represented TayForth Area Road Authority and Utilities Committee (“RAUC”) for the last 15 years at the national level, and has been RAUC Scotland (“RAUC(S)”) co-Chair for the last 3 years.
The appointment was announced today by Derek Mackay, Minister for Transport and Islands. At the same time, the Minister also announced an independent review of the Office and functions of the Commissioner’s role
Mr Mackay said:
“I am appointing Angus Carmichael as the Scottish Road Works Commissioner on an interim basis to replace Elspeth King who stood down from the Office at the end of May.
“Angus is currently co-Chair of the Road Authority and Utility Committee for Scotland. This appointment marks the value I place on the contribution being made by those within the sector to plan and coordinate road works, to reinstate roads properly, and to minimise disruption to road users.
“Scotland already leads the UK in the planning and coordination of roadworks and I have also taken this opportunity to commission a review of the Office and functions of the Scottish Roadworks Commissioner to build on our existing strengths, and I have asked Angus to work closely, along with other key stakeholders, on the review.
“I have called for a report of emerging findings and conclusions of the independent review by the Spring, and want to see any resultant improvements fully implemented before I appoint a permanent successor to Ms King.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Scottish Road Works Commissioner is an independent public official established under section 16 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 and is accountable to the Scottish Ministers and ultimately the Scottish Parliament.
The Commissioner's aim is to improve the planning, co-ordination and quality of road works throughout Scotland.
The Commissioner monitors performance, promotes and encourages good practice across both utility companies and roads authorities. She also has powers to impose financial penalties on roads authorities who systematically fail in their duty to co-ordinate and on utility companies who systematically fail to co-operate when undertaking road works.