Decision Maker: Assistant Director Highways and Capital Projects
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
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.
Publication date: 25/11/2020
Date of decision: 15/05/2020