Decision details

The Highway Maintenance programme of works is developed from inspections, testing and scanner survey carried out each year and the information from this is used to determine the sites in need of attention, which is then added to a five year rolling programme that is reviewed annually.

A program of works based on the data received from the condition surveys was approved by Cabinet in March based on the programme.

As part of a gradual build up back to business as usual it is the intention to re-start this year’s schemes to prevent the condition of the Highway becoming worse, managing risk on the highway as traffic levels increase and reducing longer term costs of repairs.

Each site has been re-examined with regard to social distancing and appropriate safety measures and almost all are able to progress. An assessment is attached at Appendix 1 showing which schemes are proposed to continue and which may be deferred.

Financial/staffing/health & safety (inc virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:
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.

All schemes have been reassessed regarding social distancing measures.

Equality Impacts:
Each scheme will consider equality needs as part of the temporary works during the delivery phase. The maintenance schemes should result in a reduction of potential hazards in the highway

Restart the Highway Maintenance programme and add further schemes arising the additional funding recently announced as per the attached schedule.

Reasons - To progress road repairs and reduce the risk of the roads deteriorating further and requiring more extensive work the following year. In addition, it is to avoid extra work required throughout the year to keep them in a safe and serviceable condition for another 12 months.

Failure to carry out the programme of works would risk the roads deteriorating further and requiring more extensive work the following year, there would also be the extra work required throughout the year to keep them in a safe and serviceable condition for another 12 months.