Links Pages
As you may know I have two "Links" pages, one General Links Page, and the other Links to Sources of Information on Official and Semi-official Websites.
I have recently spent quite some time checking all the links on my "General Links Page". 
These links being of a predominantly commercial nature or belonging to trade associations, but they are all there because they supply good information of one form or another.
This exercise was more interesting than I thought it would be, here is a quick summary of what I found and the action I took.
Some of the links were completely dead, the companies seemingly having disappeared into the ether, I was unable to restore these links and so removed them.
Other links that had originally contained amounts of "straight" information on the materials or process that the company were involved in, had removed that information and had become just a gateway to their trade names and contact points, these I also removed.
With the advance in the ways a website can be presented some sites had been given a makeover and possibly had a different website address, but could be found again through the use of a good search engine, usually Google, but DirectHit.com is good. These websites were able to be accessed again by installing the correct web address.
It seems some websites want to know all about you before giving you access to their sites. I have removed most of these leaving one or two who I feel have a legitimate reason for wanting to know a little about you. 
In my view either people want to share information with you or they do not. Personally I am not keen on putting my name, address, who I work for, and email address on loads of contact lists to be pestered by sales literature, and for the list to be "traded" around the internet.
Those who really have cause to know who you are, know who you are, and they are not going to be sending you mail.
So hopefully, at this moment, all the links on the "General Links Page", should work and take you to sites where people are prepared to share their knowledge with you, because they have the confidence in their ability to provide you with a product or service that will satisfy your requirements.
I will point out that all websites that are on my links pages are there because of their content, this website is non commercial. Although it is flattering to know that people are willing to pay to have a link on my site I only include sites that contribute sufficient amounts of easily accessible information relevant to the product, process or service they offer, and then they are included without charge. 

Highways Agency (DMRB)
Following on from the publication of HD 28/04 Skid Resistance that I referred to last month I am now aware of, 
TD 26/04  Inspection and maintenance of road markings and road studs on motorways and all purpose trunk roads.
again released in August.
Both these documents are important reading to engineers and engineering technicians who are involved in highways maintenance.
TD 26/04 is part of Volume 8 of the  Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), which can be found on the web, all 15 volumes of it.
While on the subject of recently published technical information, in .pdf format, that is present "on-line", you may like to read, 
Road Safety Report 53 : Assessing the Casualty Reduction Performance of Local Authorities.
It is quite an interesting read, I especially like the emphasis put on the need for communication between the various sections of a typical Highways Department in a Local Authority, in order that all may play a coordinated and effective part in reducing accidents, as in my experience this is not always the case.
This publication can be downloaded from the Department for Transport website, it needs a bit of finding but it is there, and you will encounter other interesting "downloads" in you quest.

Take a Look at This
I am beginning to believe in the phenomena of "coincidence" , because very often I feel a little disappointed when writing these newsletters that I am unable to provide you with news that is new,  useful and beneficial in your working environment.
But then right out of the blue along comes something that restores my faith in the fact that there are Engineers and sectors of the engineering industry, who care, and want to help others in the industry design, build and maintain highway networks, while still representing the interests of the public.
The coincidentally appearing item usually seems relevant to what I have already chosen as the theme of the newsletter, so, guardian angel, I appreciate it, and keep watching over me.
In short, I can thoroughly recommend, The Leicestershire Guide,
provided by, you've guessed it, Leicestershire County Council's, Department of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management.
The authority and those involved in producing it are to be congratulated. I am not going to heap any more praise on it, just go and visit it and "move around" it and the other sites that it links to, so that you can appreciate the total amount of information it is able to provide.
The site has a link on my web page Links to Sources of Information on Official and Semi-official Websites should you not include it on your list of "favourites".
You will also find links to the websites of other authorities on that page, who have similarly put a great deal of work into providing much excellent information on designing, constructing and maintaining highway networks. 
You do not find this type or depth of information provided by bodies who would seek to replace "local" highway authority engineering departments. 
In fact many agencies are seeking to decrease the amount of clear advice and guidance they provide for suppliers and contractors. 

Motto of the Month
"The more I practice the luckier I become."