Agenda item

This report advises the Committee on levels of Highway Network Investment to maintain the current levels of technical performance.

Discussion:

The Committee received a detailed report outlining the levels of Highway Network Investment to maintain the current levels of technical performance.

It was reported that Highway Network Investment was principally funded through four main funding streams:

·         Council funding

·         Department of Transport

·         External Funding

·         Highway Adoptions.

‘Our approach to Lifecycle Planning’ on Highway Asset Management was attached as an appendix to the report which set out medium to long-term financial plans for managing the Highway Asset and focused on the following key highway asset groups:

·         Carriageway

·         Footway

·         Structures

·         Street Lighting

·         Drainage (Gullies).

The Highway Lifecycle Planning was reviewed every two years.

The Committee discussed the report and in particular the following:

·         The conversion of street lighting to LED

It was noted that the possible conversion of street lighting to LED was currently under investigation. However, there were other possible options available for street columns including provision of electric charging points, notification of nearby parking availability and wi-fi. 

·         Parking on the footway

The Head of Highways and Parking Services acknowledged that  parking on the footway not only obstructed access for wheelchair users and parents with prams but could also cause damage to services under the footway. He confirmed that this issue was frequently raised by Ward Councillors and officers were investigating the introduction of a ban on footway parking. However, it was recognised that in certain areas of Medway parking on the footway was a necessity owing to the narrowness of the highway.

·         Requirement for increased funding to maintain the highway asset

Concern was expressed that there was insufficient funding available to maintain the highway asset and that strong representations should be made to the Government for an increased level of funding to be made available.

·         Clarification on Table 3 – Highways Budget

A Member sought clarification as to how the Highways Budget for 2018-19 correlated to the Lifecycle Planning Report. The Head of Highways and Parking Services advised that not all of the Highways Budget was captured in the Lifecycle Planning report and he offered to circulate a briefing note clarifying this issue.

In response to the concerns raised by the Committee on the level of funding required to maintain the technical performance of the highways network, the Committee requested that a letter be sent to the Government outlining concerns, with such a letter to include:

·         Recognition that investment in the highways is a national issue

·         An acknowledgement that Medway’s position is outperforming the national average

·         Encouraging the Government to provide an increased level of funding to be made available to local authorities for the maintenance of highways assets nationally.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)            noted the increased levels of Highway Network Investment required to maintain the current levels of technical performance and requested that the Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive write to the Roads Minister along the lines suggested above and requesting that the Government provide an increased level of funding available to local authorities for the maintenance of highways assets nationally.

b)            agreed that further Lifecycle Reports for Highways Network Investment be added to the Committee’s Work Programme.

c)            noted that the Head of Highways and Parking Services will circulate a briefing note clarifying how the Highways Budget for 2018-19 correlated to the Lifecycle Planning Report.