To update the Committee on current highway maintenance standards and the plans that are in place to improve the long term condition of the highway network and better satisfy the needs and desires of Herefordshire’s communities in regard to roads maintenance

The Committee received an update on current highway maintenance standards and the plans in place to improve the long term condition of the highway network and better satisfy the needs and desires of Herefordshire’s communities in regard to roads maintenance.

The Highway Network Manager presented the agenda report and highlighted that: an additional £4.7 Million would be invested in the highway network during the 2010/11 financial year which would enable a programme totalling £11.7million of highway maintenance to be delivered. This would counter the impact of this last winter on the condition of A, B and C roads, with the targeted performance remaining at the levels set in September 2009. As priority for investment will be given to the classified road network, the action in relation to the condition of the unclassified road network will seek to ensure that it is returned to 2009 levels. A revised means of assessing footway condition is being introduced. This will take account of the condition of footways across the county. The previous Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) only took account of high usage footways, such as in the City and town centres.  Further detail on road and footway condition was set out in the agenda report.

On considering the report the following principal points were noted:

• That where possible Amey Herefordshire were using local sub-contractors.
• In general terms the level of investment in trunk roads was one and a half times that of other roads.
• The Council were working with Amey Herefordshire to establish an inventory of maintenance/investment need and this would be assessed against the maintenance criteria set out in the Council’s Asset Management Plan to ensure that works were undertaken against a reasoned maintenance programme.
• It was confirmed that £11.7m was the total maintenance budget for 2010/11 which included surfacing, lines, signs etc.  The County had experienced a 30% increase in damage to its highway network due to the winter weather.
• Clarifying whether this years additional investment would raise the overall highway condition, the Committee noted that while priority was being given to the classified road network, the action in relation to the unclassified road network would seek to ensure that performance did not fall below the 2009 level of 23% of the unclassified roads being identified as requiring maintenance.  It was noted that it is unlikely that even if the targeted performance was achieved, this would be recognised by road users as significant progress in addressing the overall condition of our roads.  Noting that it was for Council to set the budget priorities, the Committee urged the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) to make every effort to address the highway maintenance backlog situation (estimated at £40m) in next years budget.
• Comparing the probable number of vehicles to the likely road tax paid in the County it was questioned whether Herefordshire was receiving a reasonable share of grant towards highway maintenance.
• Members requested an update (briefing note) on progress with the highways maintenance programme.
• Various Life Cycle Plans, which contributed to the Asset Management Plan, covering the various elements of highway assets were due to be completed by June 2010.
• The Committee noted the number of footways surveyed when undertaking footway condition surveys and changes to the method of surveying.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and appreciating the pressures on the Highways Service the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) be urged to make every effort to address the highway maintenance backlog situation in next year’s budget.