Decision details

Highway safety inspections are completed by the Highway Inspectors either monthly, quarterly or annually depending on the hierarchy and speed of the road.

We have a statutory obligation to carry out these inspections and identify any defects for repair and order the works to be completed in a specified timeframe depending on the danger posed by the defect.

We have maintained carrying out these inspections as normal since the COVID-19 lockdown measures were put in place. However, only emergency repairs have been undertaken that require fixing within two hours, one day, five days, with the reduced resources and supply chain closures during the early phases of lockdown.

Other defects found which would normally be placed on a 20 day job ticket, were not repaired and we are now finding that these are moving into the dangerous defect category as we are not now repairing them early enough which would normally prevent them getting worse.

As part of a gradual build up back to business as usual it is the intention to increase the resources gradually reverting to our normal inspection regime and repairing under the same regime as pre-lockdown to prevent the less dangerous defects becoming worse, managing risk on the highway as traffic levels increase and reducing longer term costs of repairs.

Financial/staffing/health & safety (inc virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:
Programme - Ongoing program of works..
Finance - Return to business as usual will improve efficiency and prevent more extensive costly repairs.
Insurance claims - Reduce the risk of insurance claims due to reduced maintenance.
Public perception - More potholes appearing across the network leading to more complaints.
COVID19 - The works can be progressed under the current guidelines with the necessary systems in place. Risk assessments and method statements are in place and being monitored.

Equality Impacts:
Reduction of potential hazards in the highway.

To approve the increase in resources to gradually build up back to business as usual reverting to our normal inspection regime and repairing under the same regime as pre-lockdown.

Reason: To prevent the less dangerous defects becoming worse, managing risk on the highway as traffic levels increase and reducing longer term costs of repairs.

To carry on as we are repairing dangerous defects although this will carry some risk and increased costs.