Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Mr P Denham and Mr J A D O'Donnell.

None.

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Head of Legal and Democratic Services in writing or by email indicating the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case 6 March 2018).  Enquiries can be made through the telephone number/email address below.

None.

Previously circulated.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 January 2018 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Attending for this Item were:

Highways England

Catherine Brookes, Midlands Regional Director

Tori Lazenby, Asset Development Team Leader

Worcestershire County Council

Andy Baker, Transport Planning and Commissioning Manager

Ed Dursley, Event and Open Highway Network Manager

By way of presentation, Highways England Representatives provided an introduction to the organisation, highlighted the process for the Government's Road Investment Strategy, reported on development management and operational issues in Worcestershire and beyond.

Questions were asked and answered throughout the presentation and during the discussion the following key points were made:

·         Highways England is responsible for around 4,300 miles of motorways and major A Roads, however, for clarity, in Worcestershire the A38 south of Birmingham is de-trunked, as is the A449 and therefore are the responsibility of Worcestershire County Council

·         The road network is constantly open and is used by around 4 million people every day.  Around 1 billion tonnes of freight is transported each year and it is estimated that around 7.4 million people are employed by strategic road network reliant sectors

·         The West Midlands region is the most challenging of all the networks in the Country and with the upcoming HS2 project, although it would provide growth and opportunity, the impact on the network and local roads was expected to be huge

·         The Government's Road Investment Strategy (RIS) provides overview and strategic vision, whereas the Highways England Strategic Business Plan is a response document, leading to a Delivery Plan which outlines very specific strategic outcomes, enhancement projects, performance indicators and operational detail

·         Highways England was formed in 2015 from the Highways Agency and has been given some very challenging efficiency savings targets.  However, it does have a proven track record of delivery and half way through the RIS 2015-2020 (RIS1) has achieved £4billion value of road improvements, achieved efficiency savings of £169million which is 21% ahead of target and delivered road schemes, cycle paths and footways amongst other projects

·         Nationally RIS2 (2020-2025) is being developed with the Highways England Strategic Business Plan expected to be published in early 2019.  It will focus on three key areas – Safety, Customer and Delivery, ensuring that they are doing what is best for the customer.  Although the Secretary of State for Transport will make the decision, Highways England make recommendations and early announcements may take place in the Autumn Statement

·         When developing schemes, Highways England reported that there is a really successful working relationship between the Local Authority, Local Planning Authorities and developers.  Examples across Worcestershire were given where positive joint working had been successful.  Highways England reported that this is not replicated across the Country

·         Large scale developments in the County included the completed M5 (Junctions 4 to 7), M5 (Junctions 4a to 6 Smart Motorway) and planned for 2018/19, the M42 Junction 3 Congestion Relief Scheme.  These amount to £160m investment over 5 years

·         The Panel asked to what extent Local Members were utilised for their local knowledge when schemes were developed.  It was suggested by Members that a clear mechanism may  ...  view the full minutes text for item 297.

County Council Officers responsible for Street Lighting talked through the Agenda Report.  In the ensuing discussion, the following main points were made:

·         The Council has a duty of care to maintain street lights and this is done through a maintenance contractor

·         A number of the original concrete columns still exist, despite being given a 30 year life when installed in the 1960's.  A survey of all of these is currently being undertaken.  The Panel asked for the results of this survey once complete

·         Until the extent of the need to replace concrete columns is known, it was difficult to prioritise other works, however, there was £4m budget for the next 3 years, but original sodium lights could no longer be sourced, meaning once the light had gone, it could not be replaced

·         The cost to replace a concrete column was around £1,000

·         Not all lights are owned by the Council, with some owned by Parishes.  The maintenance of these varied but some had agreements with the Council

·         In response to a query about mapping, it was clarified that all columns are mapped and should be easily identifiable, especially as all should have a unique number visible to the public.  Queries relating to specific cases, could be discussed directly with Officers at any time

·         One Member suggested an improvement to the way in which residents reported an issue by introducing some feedback to report the issue had been resolved.  Officers suggested they could investigate as technology was becoming smarter

·         When asked whether the concept of electric charging points had been considered, as other Councils were doing, it was noted that this could be followed up with Officers

·         The part night switch off was an initiative agreed in 2014 where on average one in three less efficient sodium lights were switched off, achieving required savings.  It was noted that LED lights would not be switched off, so in time, all lights would be constantly on at night

·         One Member asked whether information was available relating to the level of crime due to the initiative and asked for further information to be provided

·         Performance to replace a light was good, with 98% achieved within the 7 day expectation and monitoring was undertaken by the Council to ensure this was the case

·         In response to a question, Members learned that the cost of LED lights was reducing and the Council was now sourcing stock from a local company who also provided a 15 year guarantee.  Developments meant that different options for LEDs was also possible, including minimising the impact of lights close to a residential window for example

·         The Panel however was disappointed to hear that only around 10% of columns were LED lit

·         One Member believed that new housing developments were being established with less columns, to be informed that this was not the case.

It was agreed to invite Officers back in twelve months to review the work undertaken.  In the meantime, Members looked forward to receiving the results of the concrete  ...  view the full minutes text for item 298.

Current version enclosed for consideration

No further Items were added to the work programme, however, it was agreed to hold a workshop with Members to discuss the programme going forward.