Issue - meetings

(a)       That the report be noted;

(b)       That the current arrangements and actions of the portfolio to maintain the highway network in accordance with the statutory requirement; and

(c)        That the Committee approve the revised policy for Highway and Car Park Safety Inspections, Intervention Criteria and Response Times to include a revised approach to Highway Structures inspections.

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced the report to provide an update on the development of the Council’s HAMP and provide an explanation of how the Council utilises the principles of the HAMP to guide the strategy for managing and maintaining the highway infrastructure.  The report also provided an update on the trial use of recycled material in highway resurfacing material.

                        The Highway Network Manager provided background information and presented the key considerations as detailed in the report.  He also reported on the Council Policy on Highway Safety Inspections, intervention levels and response times which was appended to the report.

Councillor Paul Shotton said he was pleased and encouraged to read in the report that the use of plastic waste had been successfully trialled and was being considered for use in resurfacing material for roadworks.  In response to a question from Councillor Shotton, the Chief Officer explained that some concerns had been expressed around the environmental impact of using recycled plastic in road surfacing material and the supplier had been asked to undertake research to conclude if the scheme was beneficial as a long-term sustainable and economic solution for the use of plastic products.

The Chief Officer responded to the specific concerns raised by Councillor Bob Connah regarding the control/monitoring of the work schedules of the contractors which were used by the Council.

In response to the concerns raised by Councillor Owen Thomas on the maintenance of cross-boundary road networks, the Chief Officer explained that each local authority had a duty to inspect and maintain its own roads.  He agreed to take up the specific concerns raised by Councillor Thomas with the relevant Council on his behalf.  The Highway Network Manager advised that the Council worked jointly with neighbouring local authorities when necessary.   In response to a further question by Councillor Shotton regarding comparison with other local authorities, the Highway Network Manager referred to the data which had been provided by the Welsh Government in 2018/19 which showed that the Council was first in A and B roads and sixth in C roads.  He said that the Council’s own latest information provided by Welsh Government was that the Council had the least amount of poor condition roads in Wales.

In response to the concerns raised by Councillor Dennis Hutchinson regarding temporary repairs to road pot-holes, the Highway Network Manager explained that there may be no immediate intention to replace a repaired pot-hole, however there was an awareness that the temporary measure may need further action going forward and explained the criteria to determine how a permanent repair was applied to the road network programme.

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Joe Johnson and seconded by Councillor Dennis Hutchinson.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be noted;

(b)       That the current arrangements and actions of the portfolio to maintain the highway network in accordance with the statutory requirement be noted; and

(c)        That the Committee recommend approval of the revised policy for Highway and Car Park Safety  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58