Current and planned roadworks information on council web site
Dear Merton Borough Council,
I put a question to Merton Council which was responded to with a written response at the Council meeting on 12 July 2023. https://democracy.merton.gov.uk/ieListDo...
Here is the question and the response:
To the Cabinet Member for Transport
Please can you make the Current and Planned roadworks list (https://www.merton.gov.uk/streets-parkin...) more useful by doing two things:
1. Make it clear which entries are newly added each time the list is updated (bold text, a “new” marker or some other method).
2. Provide a second list organised by start date.
Reply
Thank you for your feedback. The design of the weekly bulletin is in such a way to meet the corporate standard for the website which enables accessibility features for those with disabilities to use the reader function on webpage and the PDF document circulated in the email bulletin. It would not be possible at this time to change the website’s format to be editable / searchable by category or date.
Most residents, when looking for roadworks information tend to focus on the roads affected, therefore the information is currently organized alphabetically by street/road name.
The Cabinet Member for Transport answered a question I did not ask. I was not asking for the web site to be changed to be searchable. I was asking for two specific things – a “new” tag, which would surely enhance people’s ability to see additions and changes, and the provision of a second list ordered by start date.
With that in mind, please can the council please answer the following:
1. How is the constriction of the web site such that it is not possible to produce a second list ordered by start date – what is the technical issue? It is not simply a matter of ordering the information already presented in a second, different way. I fail to see how a second list would impede accessibility such as screen readers – please explain.
2. Why is it technically impossible to add a new information point to each record – for example a new field to the database, which marks an entry as “new”. Or, indeed, to add a field which marks an entry as “changed”?
3. What is the evidence base for the statement “Most residents, when looking for roadworks information tend to focus on the roads affected, therefore the information is currently organised alphabetically by street/road name.” Please share the evidence.
Yours faithfully,
Sandra Vogel
Thank you for your email message. We aim to respond to all requests under
the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information
Regulations 2004 within 20 working days. More information about the way we
deal with information requests is on our web site at
[1]www.merton.gov.uk/foi
Information Governance Team
London Borough of Merton.
020 8545 4634
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1. http://www.merton.gov.uk/foi
Dear Sandra Vogel,
Freedom of Information Act 2000 / Environmental Information Regulations
2004 Information request
We have now considered your information request as set out below.
You asked:
1. Make it clear which entries are newly added each time the list is
updated (bold text, a “new” marker or some other method).
2. Provide a second list organised by start date.
3.How is the constriction of the web site such that it is not possible to
produce a second list ordered by start date – what is the technical issue?
It is not simply a matter of ordering the information already presented
in a second, different way. I fail to see how a second list would impede
accessibility such as screen readers – please explain.
4. Why is it technically impossible to add a new information point to each
record – for example a new field to the database, which marks an entry as
“new”. Or, indeed, to add a field which marks an entry as “changed”?
5. What is the evidence base for the statement “Most residents, when
looking for roadworks information tend to focus on the roads affected,
therefore the information is currently organised alphabetically by
street/road name.” Please share the evidence.
Our Response:
1/3. As per the response by the Cabinet Member: Thank you for your
feedback. The design of the weekly bulletin is in such a way to meet the
corporate standard for the website which enables accessibility features
for those with disabilities to use the reader function on webpage and the
PDF document circulated in the email bulletin. It would not be possible at
this time to change the website’s format to be editable / searchable by
category or date.
The website does not make a constriction on producing a second list. There
is not the resource available within the team to produce a second list.
The website constrictions do however stop us from highlighting or making
anything bold. This is to ensure that the formatting is consistent and
works with various Visual Display Units along with various pieces of
software that read the text for those with any kind of visual impairment.
2. As per the above. It is not possible to produce a second list as we do
not have the resource within the team to produce a second list.
4. To add a new field or a new marker to each line would change the
formatting of the document. This change would then mean the borders move
and the templates would need changing. Which could mean the document falls
outside of the formatting requirements for Council documents. Furthermore,
this is to ensure that the formatting is consistent and works with various
Visual Display Units along with various pieces of software that read the
text for those with any kind of visual impairment.
5. We hold no data on this and therefore we are unable to share any data.
If you have any queries or concerns about this please contact me.
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request or wish to
appeal against the decision to exempt any part of your request, you should
request an Internal Review at [1][Merton Borough Council request email] or write in to Freedom
of Information team, Merton Council, Civic Centre, Morden, SM4 5DX.
If you escalate to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) without
following the council’s internal review process, the ICO will refer you
back to the council to enable the correct process to be followed.
You can also appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
[2]https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/offi...
There is no charge for making an appeal.
Yours sincerely
Liam Dooley
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Please help to reduce waste and do not print this message unless you
really need to.
This message, including any attached files, is intended just for the use
of the individual or organisation to whom it is addressed. Unauthorised
use (for example disclosure, storage or copying) is not permitted. If you
are not the intended recipient please destroy all copies and inform the
sender by return email. Any views or opinions expressed in email are
solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of
Merton Council. Merton Council reserves the right to monitor, record and
retain any incoming and outgoing emails for security reasons and for
monitoring internal compliance with the Merton Council policy on staff
use. Email monitoring and/or blocking software may be used and email
content may be read. Merton Council may be required to disclose this email
(or any response to it) under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 unless
the information in it is covered by one of the exemptions in the Act. The
message may contain information that is confidential or sensitive; you
should handle it accordingly.
Please view the council's privacy notice at
https://www.merton.gov.uk/legal/privacy-...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Merton Borough Council request email]
2. https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/offi...
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