An overview of Highways service delivery, routine maintenance and winter highway maintenance preparations - Director of Environment to report
Minutes:
Nasir Dad presented an update on Winter Maintenance and Highways. It was noted that the service was looking at a restructure and that the work the service was doing was integrated with Highways and Transportation. It was noted that over 10,000 enquiries are received annually, and that prioritisation of defects is carried out.
It was noted that 6,000 tonnes of salt and 600 grit bins were ready for use over the winter period. It was noted that the Council has over 47,500 gullies on adopted highways and that the service was more than halfway through the cleaning of them so far. An update on Capital funded projects and programmes was provided, and it was noted that there was a lot of competition for this funding, and that a data led approach would determine which projects were funded.
Members queried the distinction of primary and secondary routes, and it was noted that a map was available on the Intranet to show which routes would come under which categorisation.
Members noted the potholes funding from the government and whether the service was delivering. It was highlighted that the service had qualified for additional funding, but this would also go toward defects. Members queried whether better surfaces could be used as in some cases, it was the same potholes year on year causing issues. It was noted that the service had to prioritise major issues and that the cost of materials had doubled. It was also highlighted that some materials degraded quicker than others and that weather conditions could also cause issues. Members were also advised that for utilities repairs, checks were carried out twice for defects. Members were informed that inspectors are out daily and that the category of road would determine the frequency by which it is checked for defects.
Members queried whether the council was being proactive around dangerous areas. It was noted that in regard to speeding, no amount of engineering would prevent this, but that traffic safety measures could make a difference.
Members asked whether, in regard to gullies, there was a record of gullies that had been missed that ward members would be able to check. It was noted that districts would liaise on this with ward members and that they would get notified of gullies missed. Members were further informed that the gully cleaners were up to ward 11 out of the 20 wards of the borough, and that one gully cleaner would restart at ward number 1 to cover any gullies missed in the first round.
Members noted the traffic calming measures, querying what the budget was for them and how areas were identified. Members were advised that inspectors go out and assess areas, but that police reports and resident complaints also help shape these decisions. In relation to the budget, it was advised that the budget came from capital funding. Nasir advised he would share criteria with members of the Board. Members also queried the sharing of information around collisions and whether this had improved. It was advised that it hadn’t improved massively, with information still going to the police and insurance companies, rather than being shared with the Council.
Members noted thanks to the team for their work in Diggle during the recent flooding, and it was noted that this would be passed on to the team.
Members requested the presentation slides in advance of the meeting in future.
Members queried how often grit bins were refilled, and it was advised that it was ad hoc, as and when refilling was needed. Members also queried whether the 28 additional staff were seasonal staff or redeployed from other areas of the council. It was advised that the additional staff were redeployed from other duties.
RESOLVED: That the update be noted.