Issue - meetings

The Highway Structural Maintenance Programme 2014/15 is submitted for Cabinet approval.  The programme follows the policies of both the Joint Local Transport Plan and Joint Local Asset Management Plan in accordance with Government guidelines.

David Redgewell (South West Transport Network) in an ad hoc statement observed that no Equality Impact Assessment had been published and asked for a copy to be provided to him.  The Chair referred this matter to Councillor Caroline Roberts.

Councillor Caroline Roberts, in proposing the item, explained that the programme comprised a number of funding sources: the Department for Transport grant; an additional grant for severe weather repairs; a block of an extra £2.4M contributed by the Cabinet.  She referred to the extra £200K allocated to flood mitigation, particularly in Chew valley.  She reminded Cabinet members that the proposals did not include the cost of repairing the extensive flood damage to Kelston Road, which would need to be considered separately.

Councillor David Dixon seconded the proposal.  He noted that it was proposed to spend £6.8M on repairing pot holes and felt that local taxi drivers would welcome this.  He warmly welcomed the innovative use of micro-asphalt surfaces on existing concrete roads.

Councillor Ben Stevens welcomed the street lighting programme and was particularly pleased to see the Widcombe footbridge lighting included.

Councillor Dine Romero added that she too was delighted to see that Haycombe Drive resurfacing had been included in the programme.

Councillor Paul Crossley observed that Councils across the country were facing huge challenges because of the severe weather.  In this authority’s area, the Kelston landslip had presented a major challenge.  But he welcomed the programme which would deliver great improvements across the area and he congratulated the highways team for their hard work in preparing the programme.

Councillor Caroline Roberts summed up by pointing out that the authority had now begun to catch up on the longstanding backlog of repairs and maintenance.  She assured the Cabinet that if more funds were made available from government, they would be used to make further improvements.

On a motion from Councillor Caroline Roberts, seconded by Councillor David Dixon, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE the Funding Allocation breakdown across Highway Assets for 2014/15;

(2) To NOTE the anticipated carry forward from 2013/14 to 2014/15;

(3) To APPROVE the Highway Structural Maintenance Programme for 2014/15, for which provisional funding approval was included within the Council’s February 2014 budget report; and

(4) To DELEGATE authority to the Divisional Director, Environmental Services and the Service Manager, Highways, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, to alter the programme as may prove necessary during 2014/15.  Any alterations will be within the overall budget allocation and take into account any additional funding streams that become available.