Agenda item

Cabinet Portfolio:                 Waste, Roads and Community Safety

Strategic Directorate:           Regeneration and Environment

Consideration was given to a report which was submitted for pre-decision scrutiny ahead of the Cabinet meeting scheduled to take place on 16 September 2019 which sought endorsement of the strategic approach to the management and maintenance of Rotherham’s highways, in accordance with the Highway Asset Management Policy.

The report detailed and reviewed the current strategy for the management and maintenance of Rotherham’s highways and the impact of increased investment through the 2020 Roads Programme. Further information was provided on the current performance of Rotherham’s highways in respect of condition and in the delivery of highways maintenance services.

In opening the item to the wider Board membership, the Chair indicated that this was a very positive report in his view and his own experience of the service had been very good. Officers from the service acknowledged the positive feedback from the Chair and elaborated more on the customer focused approach that the service had adopted which was resulting in better feedback and reduced complaints. Furthermore, it was clear that staff in the service were very in their work and proud of the difference they were making in maintaining and improving highways across the borough.

Members noted that the quality of maintenance to pavements in parts of the borough did not match that of highways and queried whether this was contracted differently. In response, it was confirmed that specialist contractors were used for different projects, the majority of work was undertaken by the authority’s workforce and pavements was part of that programme of works. Officers welcomed the feedback and provided assurances that quality checks were undertaken on pavements. Tree root damage did have a significant impact on footways and pavements, but analysis undertaken by the service did not suggest that there was a significant increase in this as an issue. The service would be seeking additional capital funding for this in future years.

Having noted the reduction in the number of potholes across the borough, Members queried whether there had been a change in materials to generate such a change. In response, officers confirmed that the improvements were due to a number of factors and made specific reference to the first time fix approach through a multi hog machine which was having a positive impact. This early intervention was beneficial in reducing the spread of potholes.

Members sought to understand what the implications there were for a bad winter and how that would impact on the programme of works. In response, officers confirmed that there could be an impact on works planned for the immediate areas outside of schools and GP practices, but works would not be postponed, but simply delayed until the beginning of the following year’s programme. In recent years, only a few days had been lost to bad winter weather and the programme had been delivered. Where planned works had been communicated to residents and businesses, the service would write again to confirm when works would take place if they had been subject to delay. It was noted that the service actively engaged both the Communications and Marketing Team and the Neighbourhoods Service to ensure that messages were communicated effectively via a number of mediums. Members were pleased to learn that the service was ahead of scheduled in respect of its programme of works.

Reference was made to the condition of country lanes that were not particularly well used in respect of the volume of vehicles, but had deteriorated to a very poor condition and how regularly these were checked and maintained. In response, officers confirmed that it was the Council’s responsibility to check and maintain all highways across the borough.

Resolved:-

1.      That the Cabinet be advised that the recommendations be supported.