Issue - meetings

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

16.1     The Contract Manager Highway Infrastructure Services introduced the report. The report is an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the scrutiny review. The review focussed on issues to do with potholes, carriageway repairs, drainage and pavements. Some of the actions have been completed whilst others are ongoing in nature. Significant progress has been made on drainage and in particular work on flooding hotspots and mapping the drainage network. A system of advisories and a velocity patcher have been used to undertake wider pothole repairs. The Team has completed a survey of all the pavements and is developing a plan of works based on that information.

16.2     The Committee discussed the update report and made a number of observations. The comments made by the Committee are summarised below.

Unclassified roads

16.3     Some members of the Committee commented that the reported 14% of unclassified roads requiring maintenance does not correlate with the condition of most roads (with the exception of the principal roads) that the public see which require some work. It was clarified that the percentage of roads requiring maintenance is a national measure as reported to the Department for Transport (DfT) which refers to roads in a ‘red’ condition requiring immediate repair. There is a large proportion of other roads classified as being in ‘amber’ condition which need some work. The original Review Board examined the prioritisation and classification of roads based on the annual survey information. The Director of Communities, Economy and Transport added that previously 25% of unclassified roads were in need of maintenance and work had been carried out on over 140 miles of road. Unclassified roads account for over 1,000 miles of the road network in the County and their condition has been improved.

Pavements

16.4     The Committee welcomed the completion of the condition survey of pavements (also known as footways) and the development of a three-year improvement plan. It noted that the condition of pavements has been an issue with residents, and it is encouraging to see where improvements have been made. This is an example of the Council doing what it says through scrutiny action. The Committee discussed funding for pavements, and it was clarified that the existing £1.6m budget would be used to prioritise those pavements in the worst condition. At this stage it is not possible to estimate the level of funding that will be required to reduce the 18% of pavements that are classified as being in ‘red’ condition (in need of repair).

16.5     It was noted that having pavements in good condition is key to encouraging people to walk more and focus should be given to walking routes to school and town centres. Avoiding falls on pavements is also important in terms of peoples’ health and the impact falls have on the National Health Service and Adult Social Care services.

Kerbs on concrete roads

16.6     The review examined the issue of damaged ‘stick on’ kerbs on concrete roads where kerbs are constructed on top of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16

Report by the Assistant Chief Executive

58.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Place Scrutiny Committee and a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport with observations on the Scrutiny Committee’s report.

58.2     It was RESOLVED to:

            1) note the report of the Scrutiny Committee; and

            2) recommend the County Council to welcome the report of the Scrutiny Committee and to agree the response of the Director of  Communities, Economy and Transport to the recommendations and their implementation as set out in the action plan attached as Appendix 1 to the Director’s report.

Reason

58.3     The Scrutiny Review of Road Repairs is welcomed and in particular the opportunity afforded by this review to explain to Members how the service operates, the legislation and polices governing highway maintenance, and the Council’s approach to maintenance. The Scrutiny Review has highlighted a number of Member concerns about the current approach to road repairs and the maintenance of pavements and the Cabinet agreed to the implementation of the action plan as

detailed in appendix 1.

Report of the Review Board.

29.1     The Chair, who was also Chair of the Review Board, introduced report. The Committee discussed the review and the recommendations of the Review Board. The Committee noted the issues raised in the report and endorsed the recommendations.

29.2     The Committee noted that in relation to recommendation 7, the Council already has the power to ban parking on pavements and verges. However, use in practice can be problematic in terms of enforcement, and can lead to a misunderstanding of the restrictions. There are also residents who use pavements as a parking space, and enforcement will need to be effective if parking bans are to be successful in protecting pavements.

29.3     The Assistant Director Operations responded that the Council can introduce pavement parking bans, but this will need to be through Area Parking Reviews and the use of Traffic Regulation Orders and appropriate signage. The Council can then issue tickets in Civil Parking Enforcement areas, via the parking enforcement contractor. 

29.4     The Lead Member for Transport and Environment thanked the Committee for the report and the work put into the review. There are challenges in implementing the recommendations in the report, but all the recommendations will be addressed.

29.5     The Committee RESOLVED to:

1) Agree the report of the Review Board; and

2) Make recommendations to Cabinet for comment, and Full Council for approval.