Agenda item

To consider the Local Transport Plan Capital Programme 2022/23 report scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 9 March 2022:

The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise and comment on the report and if required make recommendations or observations as appropriate.

Cabinet member invited to attend for this item: Councillor Mike Greene, Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Transport.

The Cabinet report for this item is included with the agenda for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

The Service Director, Transport and Engineering, presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each member of the Board and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these minutes in the Minute Book.

The Service Director and the Transport Improvement Manager addressed points raised by the Board. Many of these related to concerns around ward councillors and local residents accessing information regarding highway works/maintenance programmes, including:

·       The report listed structural maintenance works but did not include other works such as road markings/white linings. It was explained that there was a separate, funded programme in place for this type of maintenance within the Neighbourhood Services budget. Members were encouraged to report areas of concern in their wards.

·       When would a list of roads for highway maintenance for 2022/23 be available to inform councillors and residents of works in their area? It was explained that this information would be included on the website but did not form part of this strategic report. Works were identified and prioritised using criteria to assess the condition of the roads.

·       There was an initial list of roads for 2022/23 and the Board was advised of some of the planned resurfacing works. It was noted that as well as the LTP budget there were other sources of funding available through Government schemes. 

·       A Board member queried the process for selecting and agreeing the list of roads and asked about the consequences of losing Band 3 status. It was confirmed that to satisfy the incentive requirements for Band 3 the Council was required to publish a three-year rolling programme of highways maintenance. The three year figures were included in the report’s appendices and the Council was currently in a good position.

·       It would be helpful if the road listings included the ward, particularly as there were often roads with the same name in different areas of BCP.

·       Some Board members expressed concern at the state of road markings and white lines in some areas of BCP. These markings were particularly important for pedestrians and cyclists.

·       There were mixed views on the effectiveness of the reporting system. Some Board members expressed frustration at the lack of response received. A Board member questioned the efficiency of the process for ranking and undertaking white lining. It was explained that works were assessed and prioritised chiefly on safety grounds and within finite resources, with those of highest safety priority dealt with first, based on information from the Neighbourhood Services inspection team and the public reporting system.

·       A Board member asked if there was a list of roads scheduled for white lining and if this could be circulated. The Board was advised that this would have to be followed up with the Director of Environment.

Other issues raised included:

·       A Board member asked about the funding for bus facilities referred to in Appendix A. It was explained that this funding supported the continuation of works to provide infrastructure for safer journeys, including raised kerbs, shelters and real time information. 

·       A Board member felt the level of funding for electric vehicle infrastructure did not reflect the Council’s future policy aims. It was explained that this funding was to facilitate the progression of new technology across the network. Major infrastructure would be provided by commercial operation. Further details were subject to commercial sensitivity but it was confirmed that the Council was still in discussions, was open to further interest and had not yet formed a final position.

·       Board members highlighted recently publicised concerns about new cycle lane kerbing on Whitelegg Way, including reports that it hindered the passage of emergency vehicles. It was noted that the design was compliant with Department of Transport guidelines and that the emergency services had not raised an issue when consulted.

In response to the issues raised the Chairman agreed to write to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Transport on the following matters:

·       Improving access to information for ward councillors and local residents on road works/maintenance programmes

·       Whitelegg Way cycle lane kerbing – to outline members’ concerns and ask what was being done to address these.

It was also agreed that the Director of Environment be asked through Democratic Services whether there was a list of roads scheduled for white lining which could be made available to Board members.

The Chairman thanked the officers for their attendance and input.