Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

1.    That Cabinet note the strategic approach to the management and maintenance of Rotherham’s Highways.

2.    That a period of consultation with Members, to collate local recommendations for inclusion in the indicative programme, is undertaken in May and June 2021.

3.    That the intention for the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment to subsequently approve the indicative Highway Repair Programme for 2021 / 2022 be noted.

4.    That it be noted, where any additional in year funding to deliver highways repairs is allocated from Central Government, the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment may utilise that funding in accordance with the strategic approach to the Management and Maintenance of Rotherham’s Highways laid out in this report.

Consideration was given to the report which described how Rotherham’s highways were strategically managed and maintained; reviewed the current strategy for the management and maintenance of the highway network and described the current performance both in terms of the condition of the highways and the delivery of maintenance services.

The Council had a statutory duty to maintain its highways through Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980. The Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety confirmed that the Council had been investing in the highway network despite cuts from Central Government. It was also confirmed that the number of potholes throughout the Borough had reduced by one third. The aim was to reduce the number by a half by 2024. In 2020/21 the Council had repaired 271 roads, equating to 48.6 miles and an area of nearly 507,800 square metres.

The roads and footways included in the Indicative Highway Works Programme 2020/21 at Appendix 2 to the report were determined by a scoring matrix. The Programme showed that during 2021/22 the Council aimed to repair 154 roads with a total length of 22.5 miles covering an area of 252,000 square metres.

The Cabinet Member expressed her pride that all of the work was done by the in-house highways team and she thanked them for their hard work. The Leader confirmed that the indicative programme was a baseline and additional works would be added in the new Municipal Year.

Resolved:-

1.    That Cabinet note the strategic approach to the management and maintenance of Rotherham’s Highways.

2.    That a period of consultation with Members, to collate local recommendations for inclusion in the indicative programme, is undertaken in May and June 2021.

3.    That the intention for the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment to subsequently approve the indicative Highway Repair Programme for 2021/2022 be noted.

4.    That it be noted, where any additional in year funding to deliver highways repairs is allocated from Central Government, the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment may utilise that funding in accordance with the strategic approach to the Management and Maintenance of Rotherham’s Highways laid out in this report.