Decision details

To approve the proposed roads and bridges major maintenance programme for 2013-14, and to make minor revisions to the Council’s Highway Inspection Manual and Skid Resistance Policy.

Highway maintenance funding needs to be targeted at those sites of greatest need, especially where there are serious safety concerns. The application of the revised Highway Inspection Manual and Skid Resistance Policy will assist the targeting of resources at the sites most in need of treatment.

The proposed programme of works has been developed to address identified safety and carriageway structural problems.  Substituting other sites in the programme could result in defective sites not being treated, with consequent safety and legal implications for the Council.

Road conditions are an important aspect of road safety, especially with regard to carriageway defects and skid resistance, and it is important to carry out programmes of surveys and highways maintenance in order to reduce the risks of accidents and claims. The Council carries out regular technical surveys, using vehicle mounted laser equipment and other specialist equipment to assess road conditions on its classified road network, and carries out visual inspections of the unclassified roads. This information is used to inform the selection of roads to be treated in the annual works programme.

Although the recent winters have resulted in significant deterioration of carriageway conditions in some locations, and there was flood damage last year, the overall carriageway conditions in Wiltshire have been improving in recent years as a result of the continuing investment. However, even with the current funding levels it is not possible to resurface all of those roads which may be unsightly or have a poor ride condition.  The priority is to address those sites where there are serious road safety concerns.

In order to ensure consistent standards and an appropriate response to carriageway defects, the Highway Inspection Manual is used by the highways inspectors and other staff. This document sets out the priorities and response times adopted by the Council. The standards set are considered to be appropriate and are in line with best practise and relevant guidance.

Ensuring the skid resistance of the carriageway surface is adequate makes an important contribution to road safety, and the Council has adopted a Skid Resistance Policy to assist in prioritising schemes.

The Local Transport Plan (LTP) was developed in consultation with local Councils, community groups and other stakeholders. Highway maintenance was identified as being a high priority, and the schemes listed (see Appendix 1) in this report reflect the priorities set out in the LTP, especially with regard to road safety and the Council’s duty to maintain the highway network.

The Council’s Highway Inspection Manual was adopted by the then County Council in 2005 and has been effective in improving the way in which carriageway defects are assessed and prioritised to keep the network safe. The procedures were developed in conjunction with the Council’s staff, consultants and contractors in order to ensure that they are effective and assist in targeting resources. The manual (see Appendix 2) has been reviewed and minor revisions are proposed in order to improve its effectiveness.

The Council adopted a policy regarding carriageway skid resistance in April 2010, and minor amendments were incorporated in the document last year. The processes used in the identification of sites for treatment have been reviewed again by the responsible Council officers, and minor alterations are proposed (see Appendix 3).

The list of works to be carried out on the highway network in 2013-14 will be included in the Community Area Highway Information, which is available on the Council’s website and includes a list of the schemes carried out in the previous year.