This report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “H”) provides information on the Capital Highway Maintenance funding element of the Local Transport Plan for 2022/23 and makes recommendations on the allocation for Non-Classified road resurfacing schemes and Surface Dressing sites in the Keighley constituency.

Recommended –

That the proposed list of schemes for 2022/23 as shown in Appendices 2 and 3 to Document “H” be approved.

(Andy Fisher - 01535 618297)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “H”) provided information on the Capital Highway Maintenance funding element of the Local Transport Plan for 2022/23 and made recommendations on the allocation for Non-Classified road resurfacing schemes and Surface Dressing sites in the Keighley constituency.

The report revealed the DfT Capital Highway Maintenance allocation (through the Local Transport Plan) for the maintenance of A, B, C Classified roads and Non-Classified roads in 2022/23 was expected to be in the region of £4.5m.

Appended to the report were details of resurfacing schemes completed and those still outstanding from the 2021/22 approved list.  It was reported that the two remaining schemes would be completed in early 2022/23. 

A recommended list of Non-Classified resurfacing schemes for the 2022/23 financial year was attached at Appendix 2 and a recommended list of Surface Dressing sites was included at Appendix 3.

The list of resurfacing schemes at Appendix 2 was detailed in priority order based on road condition and coincided with a value of £300,000.  The list exceeded the allocated budget for the Keighley Constituency and Members were asked to approve the recommended list or to substitute schemes from the priority list with those from the reserved list as they deemed necessary to address local highway concerns.

It was reported that surface dressing was a preventative measure designed to extend the lifetime of the roads. Appendix 3 totalled approximately £330,000 and it was intended that all wok would be completed on all of the surface dressing sites listed.

Members reported that Lawkeholme Lane had been identified incorrectly in Appendix 2 as being located in Keighley East when it was situated in the Central ward and it was agreed to correct that error.

It was questioned when schemes identified on the reserve list at Appendix 2 would be completed and it was reported that they would ordinarily start to be addressed in the next financial year.  If priority schemes were unable to be addressed schemes from the reserve list could be completed sooner. It was explained that some funding remained from the Pothole Fund and it was hoped to use some of that allocation for schemes on the reserve list.

Members queried the process for overspent budgets and it was explained that any overspend would be deducted from the next years’ allowance.  Any underspend would be carried forward.

Members questioned the criteria for pot hole repairs and it was explained that if pot holes were located in a deteriorated area surface patching would be required.  On longer lengths of road full resurfacing or surface dressing would be required, however, surface dressing was only suitable if the road had not deteriorated greatly.  Preventative measures such as surface dressing could extend the life of the road by seven to ten years. 

A Member raised a particular problem which had occurred in the Keighley West ward.  Micro asphalt surfacing had failed and residents were walking the product into their homes and ruining floors.  Assurances were requested that this had been raised and would not happen again.  In response it was explained that the contractor had experienced a number of failings with that dressing and that these would be addressed at no cost to the Council.  It was expected that repairs would be conducted once the weather had improved. It was not known if residents were aware of progress and it was requested that details be forwarded to the Principal Engineer, Highway Maintenance North, who agreed to provide a response to those residents. 

A Member queried why measures required on Nares Street did not appear on the proposed list and reported previous assurances that the work would be conducted.  It was believed that patching may have been ordered in that location and that would not be included in the reports being considered.   It was agreed, if details could be forwarded to the Principal Engineer, that investigations would be made about that site. 

The process utilised to assess road conditions was reported and revealed that internal inspections and a third party annual survey were conducted.  The survey included high definition video inspection to grade and categorise the condition of roads.  The next survey would be conducted in June 2022. 

A Member questioned if the Capital Highway Maintenance allocation in the region of £4.5 million was a delegated budget and it was clarified that West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) received that capital funding.  WYCCA applied a formula to make allocations to the five authorities in the region. 

In response to questions about the figures quoted in Appendices 2 and 3 it was explained that those amounts were available for both programmes.  The estimate for schemes in Appendix 2 was slightly higher than the £300,000 available, however, some schemes would be completed at a higher cost than the estimate and some would be lower.  It was not predicted that there would be an overspend on costs.

A Member reported that work had been carried out on the cobbles located on Harry Lane/Muffin Corner, Oxenhope and there was a request from Haworth Parish Council that the cobbles be replaced. It was confirmed that the cobbles should be replaced following the temporary tarmac filling. The Principal Engineer agreed to liaise with colleagues and contact the Member directly with a report on progress. 

In response to questions about surfacing car parks it was explained that this was the remit of Parking Services. 

It was questioned how pot holes should be reported to the Council and Members were advised to contact the Council’s Contact Centre who would liaise with the operational teams.  Members reported that they found it easier to report on line as opposed to telephone calls. 

A pothole which had been paint sprayed to indicate it would be repaired without any action taking place was reported by a Keighley Central Ward Member.  It was explained that if the defect was less than one square metre if would be repaired by the operational team. 

The Chair referred to surface dressing conducted in the Worth Valley ward which he reported was done quickly and to a high standard.  He requested his feedback be passed to the operational team responsible

Resolved –

That the proposed list of schemes for 2022/23 as shown in Appendices 2 and 3 to Document “H” be approved.

Action: Strategic Director, Place