The Strategic Director of Place will submit Document “AB” which provides information on the Capital Highway Maintenance funding element of the Local Transport Plan for 2018/19 and makes recommendations on the allocation for Non-Classified road resurfacing schemes and Surface Dressing sites in the Shipley constituency.

Recommended –

That the proposed programme of works for 2018/19 as shown in Appendices 2 and 3 of Document “AB” be approved.

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Andy Fisher – 01535 618297)

The Strategic Director of Place submitted Document “AB” which provided information on the Capital Highway Maintenance funding element of the Local Transport Plan for 2018/19 and made recommendations on the allocation for Non-Classified road resurfacing schemes and Surface Dressing sites in the Shipley constituency.

The Principal Engineer (Highway Maintenance North) provided a summary of the report.

A Member queried the absence of the Carr Lane/Leeds Road junction on the lists of schemes attached to the report.  In response, it was explained that as that area of highway was an A road, there was a separate funding process for them which was approved by the Portfolio Holder.  He assured the Member that he would bring this to the attention of the relevant officers.

A Member raised concerns that there was only one scheme in Baildon proposed as part of the non-classified roads improvement works in Appendix 2 to the report.  She spoke of the poor condition of the roads in the Baildon ward and queried why it had received the least amount funding.  In response, the Principal Engineer stated that the list was based on priority and that in previous years more schemes would have been undertaken in the Baildon ward than other wards in the constituency.  The Principal Engineer agreed to obtain details of spend in all wards over recent years and forward details to Members.  The Member requested that an officer undertake a site visit to view the state of the roads to consider whether any other improvements could be made.

In response to Members’ questions, it was stated that:

·         Unfortunately, the state of roads was bad across all areas and this was a national picture, particularly in relation to pot holes. 

·         In a national highways and transport satisfaction survey, in which 4,000 surveys were sent to local residents, Bradford was ranked 47th out of 112 participating local authorities for public satisfaction in relation to condition of road surfaces, and ranked 48th for the speed of repair to road surfaces.  Bradford had ranked above average in terms of public opinion in 2017.

The Principal Engineer informed Members that the service was pursuing a system with more precise methods to determine the deterioration of the highway network over time which would also aid planning future investment and improvement works to the roads.  Following a request from the Chair that officers provide the reasoning as to why schemes are prioritised for funding, the Principal Engineer stated that the new system would provide a more scientific evidence base, but at present prioritisation of works was decided through mechanical vehicle scanner results and engineering skill and knowledge.

A Member stated that there was a development taking place at the end of a cul de sac on Springhurst Road, Shipley and, due to the poor state of the road as a result of the works, he queried whether funding for repairs to the road could be sought from the developer.  The Principal Engineer agreed to pursue this.

Following a Member’s query about a recent local media article about the district receiving £600,000 in extra funding from the Department for Transport for repairing pot holes caused by the recent bad weather, the Principal Engineer reported that an additional £280,000 Pothole Action Fund was to be provided by the Department for Transport through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for 2017/18 along with £428,000 for 2018/19.  Both these figures were still to be confirmed.  It was agreed that once the financial position was known, Members would be updated.

Resolved –

(1)       That the proposed programme of works for 2018/19 as shown in Appendices 2 and 3 of Document “AB” be approved.

(2)       That full details of any additional funding received and how it would impact on the reserve list of works be circulated to Members.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Environment and Waste Management

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place