Decision details

The Forum considered the County Council's approved Transport Asset Management Plan (TAMP) and investment strategy which identified key strategic priorities for the highway authority during the period 2015-2030.

The TAMP represented a fundamental change in approach with the authority moving away from tackling what was perceived as the worst areas first towards  one aligned to the Department for Transport's philosophy that, 'prevention is better than cure' with resources being used to reduce key maintenance backlogs through preventative methods.

It was reported that analysis indicated the County Council required approximately £35m per annum to maintain all of its transport assets at their 2013 levels. However, the direct allocation likely to be received from central government, via the Department for Transport would only be £25m per annum and so the resulting shortfall provided a real challenge to do more, or even the same, with less.

Preventative intervention works, involving treatments that were generally carried out at an earlier critical stage in an asset's life-cycle and are usually less expensive and less intrusive, were proposed to reduce maintenance backlogs. Key maintenance backlogs would be reduced over a ten to fifteen year period which would mean that the level of available funding broadly matched the amount needed to maintain all assets.

It was noted that a phased approach, based on the county council's priorities and affordability, would be adopted in relation to works and that investment in A, B and C roads and the footway network would be prioritised.  The Forum was informed that the county's bridge structures were in excellent condition and it was noted investment in the bridge stock would happen in phase 3 (2026-2030). This would allow money that would normally have been spent on bridge works to be diverted to proposed highways works planned in phases 1 and 2.

Members were assured that notwithstanding the new approach any roads that became unsafe would continue to be repaired immediately.

Members welcomed the TAMP including the brief summary of the condition of each asset group covered by the TAMP.  Reference was made to the summary of A, B and C Roads (TAMP, page 26) and officers were asked to provide comparative information from 2009. 

It was noted that any suggestions for the replacement of crossings should be made to the Public Realm Manager for assessment and prioritisation.  

Members discussed the need for proper 'long lasting' pot hole repairs to the undertaken.  It was felt that many repairs were often a quick fix which deteriorated very soon afterwards.

It was noted that the Pendle patching programme would commence in January 2015.  Members expressed concerns that the works had been scheduled for the winter months when adverse weather conditions were likely.  It was felt that the timetable of works should have had a greater regard to climatic conditions around the county and members agreed that the County Council should be requested to defer the proposed works until later in the year.