To decide upon the method and timescale for the works that are required to complete the Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund project.

In summary, following consultation with those who will be directly impacted by these works, and the consideration of all other views received, an accelerated method of working in two short windows, separated by approximately a year has been identified as preferred method of working. This will reduce the duration of any disruption associated with the works required to deliver this project and enable recovery from any negative impact on businesses before returning to complete this scheme. As a consequence the resources available to complete the project will have to increase.

That:

(a)   the works that are required to complete the Local Highway Maintenance Challenge Fund project be completed in two short windows separated by approximately a year. Each to be as short as period as practically possible using a combination of daytime and overnight road closures and/or 7 day working; and

(b)   the budget for these works be increased by £0.5m to £8.5m, this increase to be accommodated by directing up to £0.5m of expenditure toward these works from  the £4.6m that has been approved for highway maintenance in the 2018/19 capital programme.

1.     The alternative options are:

·       To carry out the works in a single window made as shorter period as possible using a combination of 24 hour road closures and/or 7 day working. Whilst this option is supported by those who responded to consultation it is not recommended as it runs contrary to the views conveyed through petition.

·       To carry out the works over a longer period of time involving a number of shorter closures, where the affected road will be open for some of the time. This option is not recommended as the overall scale of disruption will be greater and this option is not supported by the majority of those who responded to consultation. This option also runs contrary to the views conveyed though petition.

·       To complete the works using materials that do not require substantial road closures. This option is not recommended as the product of the works will be less durable, tripling the whole life cost of maintaining these roads and therefore not demonstrating value for money. Whilst this option accords with the views conveyed though petition, this option was not supported by the majority of those who responded to consultation.

·       Ceasing works on this project. This option is not recommended as failing to complete the scheme would mean the full scale of the benefits from the scheme will not be realised meaning the condition of the county’s roads would deteriorate at a faster pace. In addition, the council would have to repay the £5m awarded by the DfT for these works. That £5m funding gap would have to be met from the council’s own capital programme or existing maintenance grant allocations. This option accords with the views conveyed by petition but was not supported by the majority of those who responded to consultation.