1 Current Programmes 2012/13 Previous Programme 2010/11/12 1.18 - - PDF document

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Martin Fletcher, Group Manager, Highway Maintenance

Transport and Climate Change Scrutiny Commission 4th October 2012 Highway Maintenance Review - Beneficial Impacts of Maintenance

Highway Maintenance Scrutiny Review

• 31/7/12 Scrutiny Meeting Presentation Recap
• Mayoral Delivery Plan
• Previous & Current Work Programmes
• Highway Maintenance Benefits
• Impact of Recent Works on Complaints
• Impact on Defect “Hot-Spots”
• Impact on Public Safety & Insurance Claims
• Summary

31/7/12 Scrutiny Meeting Recap

• Road network is single biggest Council owned asset
• Climate change impacts – cold & wet weather
• Ageing road network & heavier traffic loading
• Utility reinstatements – impact on road condition
• Rate of deterioration increasing – potholes increase
• Highway asset is depreciating in value (WGA)
• Major long term investment needed
• Safety – paramount
• Inspection regime essential – claims repudiation
• Keep the water out – surface treatment prolongs life
• Concrete roads – expensive long term problem

Mayoral Delivery Plan

• “Getting About in Leicester” theme
• City Mayor committed to improving road conditions
• Places a high priority on capital maintenance &

repairing potholes

Themes / Objectives Key performance measures Targets Key projects/programmes and activities Key plans and strategies Key enablers Improving the condition of public highways 1. Road condition 2. Delivery of Connecting Leicester highway/path improvements 1. Average of 5000 pot holes filled per year 2. Delivery of Connecting Leicester highway/path improvements Capital Maintenance programme Pothole repairing Connecting Leicester infrastructure improvements Local Transport Plan Transport Asset Management Plan Connecting Leicester City Council Transportation and Highways

Mayoral Delivery Plan

• Dangerous pothole numbers being contained:
• But – must not get complacent as numbers still high

Current Programmes 2012/13

• £1.74 million Capital Maintenance
• 66 Streets
• Mixture of different types of scheme:

– £567k Principal & Primary Road Major Schemes – £450k Structural Repairs & Resurfacing Sites – £97k Concrete Road Repairs – £213k Surface Dressing Programme – £408k Footway Maintenance Schemes

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Current Programmes 2012/13

• £1.18 million Revenue Growth Bid:

– £175k Reactive Safety Repairs (Dangerous Defects) – £140k Non-intervention Level Pothole & Footway Defects – £449k Structural Repairs, Surface Dressing Pre-Patching and Resurfacing – £113k Concrete Road Maintenance Scheme – £57k Highway Drainage – £20k Road Markings – £115k Highway Trees, Grass Cutting & Weed Control – £60k Street Lighting – £46k Bridges, Road Markings, Joint Sealing, etc.

Previous Programme 2010/11/12

• £1 million “pothole” programme
• Response to impact of 3 severe winters
• DfT Emergency Funding
• Council Capital Contribution
• 49 road schemes carried out
• Included “Ward Based Approach”
• Tackled the worst streets – high volume of

complaints & media interest (e.g. Coleman Road)

Previous Programme 2010/11/12

• Coleman Road before works in 2010/11:

Previous Programme 2010/11/12

• Coleman Road after works in 2010/11:

Benefits of Road and Footway Maintenance & Improved Road Surfaces

• Improves the look and feel of the street environment

– i.e. the street does not look “run down”.

• Encourages economic development – a place where

people want to live and work.

• Smoother traffic flows – less slowing and accelerating

to avoid potholes.

• Improved ride quality encourages bus patronage and

cycling – reduction in traffic volumes.

• Good footpaths encourage walking – healthier

citizens.

• Safer roads – e.g. improved skid resistance.
• Reduced CO2 and air pollution.
• Overall impact on the general well-being of the City.

Impact of Recent Works on Complaints

• Complaints have reduced by 24%

Financial Year 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 % Reduction on 2009/10 Total Number of Complaints 5867 5397 4471

• 24%

Carriageway Pothole Complaints 1565 1614 1007

• 36%

Pothole Complaints (%) 27% 30% 23% Footway Defect Complaints 935 742 734

• 21%

Footway Complaints (%) 16% 14% 16%

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Impact of Recent Works on Complaints

• Pothole complaints down 36%
• Revenue Growth Bid and Emergency Pothole

Funding used to tackle the worst streets that were generating a high number of complaints.

• Improvement reflects impact of Mayoral Pledge to

address the pothole situation.

• Potholes (22%) and footway defects (16%) still

account for the Lion’s share of all highway complaints.

• Need to maintain the levels of funding we have seen

in the last 2-3 years if we are to keep on top of the situation.

Impact on Defect “Hot-Spots”

• Recent maintenance schemes show positive impact
• n complaint numbers – a measure of “public

satisfaction” with the roads in these locations

Sample of Previous Defect “Hotspot” Streets Maintenance scheme carried out in: Number of Complaints between 2006 & before works Number of Complaints after maintenance scheme carried out Gallowtree Gate 2007/8 15 5 Coleman Road 2010/11 54 6 Rowlsey Street 2010/11 32 2 Avebury Avenue 2010/11 51 2 Marwood Road 2010/11 10 Westcotes Drive 2010/11 45 4

Impact on Defect “Hot-Spots”

• Conversely complaints about roads where no

maintenance has been carried out are increasing:

Sample of Current Defect “Hotspot” Streets Total Number of Complaints since 2006 Number of Complaints in last 2 to 3 years % Parker Drive 17 11 65% Woodgreen Road 10 9 90% Thorpewell 10 8 80% Sawley Street 20 15 75% Combe Close 9 9 100% Woodstock Close 10 9 90%

Impact on Public Safety & Insurance Claims

• Robust Highway Maintenance programmes improve

public safety and reduces risk to Council from Claims Claims made against LCC 4 years either side of works: 79% Reduction in insurance claims

LOCATION Claims – Pre-Works Claims Post-Works Gallowtree Gate 25 2 High Street 7 2 Halford Street 7 2 Market Street 5 1 Total 44 9

Public Liability Insurance Claims

• Effective safety inspection and reactive repair regime

combined with realistic maintenance programme reduces “waste” on insurance claim pay-outs Highways Insurance Claims (Paid & Reserved): 65% “Saving” 2011/12 on 2009/10

Personal Injury Vehicle Damage Reserved Total 2009 - 2010 £516,719 £3,078 £895,174 £1,414,961 2010 - 2011 £479,012 £8,366 £329,081 £816,459 2011 - 2012 £176,933 £9,489 £535,105 £721,527 2012 – Oct £81,521 £ 6,529 £376,761 £464,811 Grand Total £1,254,185 £27,462 £2,136,121 £3,417,758

Summary Points

• Robust planned maintenance programmes essential

to improving road condition long term.

• Positive impact on public satisfaction – performance

indicators such as complaints and claims.

• Robust reactive safety repair and risk management

regimes reduces “waste” expenditure on insurance claim pay-outs.

• Planned maintenance programmes combined with

effective safety repair regime – essential to ensuring the safety of the public.

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Summary Points

• Highway assets will always deteriorate with time.
• Highway condition is a significant public concern.
• Funding for maintenance needs to be realistic and

reflect the importance of the asset to the City’s well- being.

• Recent increase in expenditure has addressed some
• f the worst streets.
• Other roads now becoming a priority as they

deteriorate.

• Accordingly, we need to maintain and prioritise

highway maintenance funding into the future.