Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Highway Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/236

Contact: James Dance, Principal Officer – Asset Renewals Tel: 07392 318900

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CA10).

This report sets out the start of a new approach and focus for how the County Council undertakes Highway Maintenance and Asset Management.   The new approach is intended to be more aligned to the Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance’s priorities and the policies set out in the emerging Local Transport and Connectivity Plan.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)                  Approve adoption of the Highway Asset Management Policy Statement (Annex 1), Strategy document (Annex 2), and Plan document (Annex 3)

b)                  Note the funding situation for Highway Maintenance summarised as Annex 4 that impacts on decisions and programmes which will be picked up through the normal budget setting process.

It was agreed to make the following amendment to the Highway Asset Management Policy:

Page 101 of Addenda 1

Policy: AMP3

“The County Council will extend maintenance functions wherever possible to include for the betterment of walking, cycling, and other active/more sustainable transport choices (e.g. public transport)”

To append:

“and support the Council’s commitment to Vision Zero.”

RESOLVED to

a)              Approve adoption of the Highway Asset Management Policy Statement (Annex 1, as amended), Strategy document (Annex 2), and Plan document (Annex 3)

b)              Note the funding situation for Highway Maintenance summarised as Annex 4 that impacts on decisions and programmes which will be picked up through the normal budget setting process.

Cabinet had before it a report setting out the start of a new approach and focus for how the County Council undertakes Highway Maintenance and Asset Management.

Before considering the report, the Chair had agreed to the following request to speak:

Councillor Robin Bennett, Berinsfield & Garsington, stated that parts of South Oxfordshire had a high rate of road fatalities due to legacy road designs.  He noted that the Council’s Vision Zero policy was not mentioned and asked that it be included to support the drive to improve safety.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Highway Maintenance, summarised the report and accompanying documents that included the Policy, Strategy and Plan.  On funding, the government provided around £16m per year and the Council borrowed to double that.  However, it was estimated that £45m needed to be spent each year just to maintain roads in their current state.  The Plan outlined how the finances will be managed to maximum benefit.

Cabinet Members commented:

·       Footpaths and cycleways needed to be prioritised for maintenance.  Just about everyone uses footpaths and those with mobility issues in particular need them to be well maintained.

·       The shortfall that most stands out is the figure of £16m to spend on bridges in the next five years where the need is estimated at £96m.

·       It would be helpful if the government would give the Council the powers to stop people parking on footpaths.

Councillor Gant proposed an amendment:

Page 101 of Addenda 1, Policy: AMP3 which currently states -

“The County Council will extend maintenance functions wherever possible to include for the betterment of walking, cycling, and other active/more sustainable transport choices (e.g. public transport)”

To append:

“and support the Council’s commitment to Vision Zero.”

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Sudbury and agreed.

Councillor Gant proposed the recommendations as amended, Councillor Sudbury seconded and they were agreed.

RESOLVED to

a)              Approve adoption of the Highway Asset Management Policy Statement (Annex 1, as amended), Strategy document (Annex 2), and Plan document (Annex 3)

b)              Note the funding situation for Highway Maintenance summarised as Annex 4 that impacts on decisions and programmes which will be picked up through the normal budget setting process.