Agenda item

To consider the current and future approach taken by the Highway Service to managing the Council’s road network and related groups of road infrastructure assets.

Mr Will Britain, Head of Highways and Traffic Management, gave a presentation on the current and future approach by the Highway Service to managing the Council’s road network and related groups of road infrastructure assets.

The presentation gave details of how highways were managed prior to 2009 and how improvements had been made since that time. These included the movement to a new colour coded system to identify where road maintenance work was required which allowed for a more efficient and cost effective response to issues. This system which coded roads by four colours, blue for no issues, green for minor issues but no work required, amber for significant issues developing and red for a road that required closure to maintain, had been recognised nationally and implemented by other local authorities in the North West. Using the system the Council focussed on amber roads, where issues had started to develop, but the use of light treatment meant that repairs could be accomplished quickly and more cost effectively than if it were to degenerate to a red level.

The use of this system had also allowed the Council to secure £600K in funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) to develop innovations for asset data collection. From this, the Council was further able to undertake Project 30 which included the borrowing of £30m for a four year capital investment in Blackpool’s roads, based on the data obtained.

Blackpool had also established the Local Councils Road Infrastructure Group, which included various other local authorities and acted as a forum to promote collaborative working and share best practice.

Mr Britain further reported that during the Covid-19 lockdown the Council’s Roads’ Maintenance Team had remained in operation. This had been achieved from reorganisation of shift patterns and other safety measures. During this time the team was able to undertake vital road maintenance, as well as assist other Council services, such as grave digging at the Arboretum.

Members of the Committee were also told that the Gross Asset value of Blackpool’s roads was £906m. As part of the funding to maintain this asset the Council received £1.5m from the Department for Transport (DfT). This was based on annual assessments from Internal Audit, which stated that the roads were within the DfT’s Band Three.

The priority order for maintenance of roads was queried by the Committee. In response to which Mr Britain confirmed a copy of the list could be shared with the Committee. It was also added that the Council maintained a list of pavements in need of maintenance, the priority list for which could also be shared. Mr Ian Large, Performance Manager, Highway and Traffic Management Services, added that investment to develop flex footways in Blackpool was being applied for through the City Fibre project. This project would secure part of a £58m fund for the North West to install a fibre network in Blackpool’s pavements.

The Committee agreed;

1.         That the report be noted; and

2.         That the priority list of Blackpool’s roads and pavements be shared with Members of the Committee.