To discuss and consider the issue of Highway Maintenance in North Northamptonshire to inform a future report to Executive.
Minutes:
The meeting received a presentation from Rebecca Miller, Head of Customer and Communications for Kier SWP, holders of the integrated services contract for highways until March 2022.
It was heard that the contract had been in operation since March 2008, with an annual value of £45million. This was an all-inclusive contract to provide all services including highway maintenance, winter service and infrastructure management. The contract was currently going through a re-procurement exercise with Kier and SWP due to bid separately given the scope of the services.
The meeting heard that the asset value for highways in the county was £6 billion across a road network of 2664 miles and a footway and cycleway network of 2079 miles. In addition, there were over 1800 miles of Rights of Way and bridleways to be maintained within the contract.
An update on the impact of the Covid pandemic on the service was provided, with the meeting noting that usage of the network had altered due to lockdowns, with significant numbers of people working from home and the move towards alternative forms of transport. It was further noted that the service was beginning to feel the impact of global material shortages and this situation was being monitored.
Details of stakeholder engagement and communication were provided, with the meeting hearing that from a highways defect perspective, the Street Doctor platform was the best method to report issues as it provided a clear record of reports and allowed for feedback to be provided to those making reports. Numerous other communication channels were detailed, with proactive and reactive press releases, web pages and promotion of services through traditional and social media all being utilised by the service. A work programme was circulated weekly to councillors to advise of highways works across the county and a new, regular newsletter with highways-related articles and updates would be circulated to members. Councillor engagement sessions would be held quarterly at depots across the county and further information in relation to these would be supplied in the near future.
An overview of the various highway surface treatments employed by the service was provided to the meeting. Potholes were a major issue for residents and such defects were considered for repair within criteria set by the council, with a view to undertaking the longest-term repair possible.
It was heard that innovation was constantly sought to improve the way the service operated. A multi-disciplinary and collaborative Innovation and Best Practice Group had been created in 2016, with over 50 ideas being forwarded to operational teams for implementation. One idea currently being monitored was the introduction of electric gritting vehicles, however given the size of the road network in the county existing vehicles did not have sufficient battery mileage available to make them a viable addition to the fleet. There remained an intention to move towards electric vehicles across the fleet to support the council’s sustainability strategy.
It was heard that an project to have all utility location plans made available online was in progress. Approximately 40,000 applications were made annually to work on utilities under the highways network and better coordination would allow repairs to be completed more efficiently. Further areas for innovation moving forward included 3D mapping, drone use for Rights of Way inspections, highways inspections using camera-mounted vehicles and use of Combi Drainage vehicles for more efficient gulley maintenance.
The winter service was noted as being an extremely important part of the service, with seven weather stations across the county helping to provide accurate information to enable route-based forecasting. Approximately 43% of the county’s road network would be routinely gritted when required between October and April. Communication with the public was vital, not only detailing gritting locations but to provide advice on safe driving and how people could assist themselves using grit bins.
Members asked questions in relation to:
· Pothole repair policy and repair longevity
· The number and cost of insurance claims relating to potholes
· Delays to the removal of traffic signals following the conclusion of works
· Public perception to road layout alterations, including traffic signals and junctions
· Inaccuracy of dates on signage relating to traffic works
· Increasing the public awareness of the Street Doctor service