Agenda item

(To receive a report from Jonathan Evans, Head of Highways Services, which sets out the performance of the highways service including the Major Highway Schemes Update, Lincolnshire Highways Performance Report and Transport Complaints Report)

Consideration was given to a report from Jonathan Evans, Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service, on the performance of the Highways Service including the Major Highway Schemes Update, Lincolnshire Highways Performance Report and Transport Complaints Report. Members were advised that the Alliance Partners managed to achieve their targets for Quarter 2 and improvement plans were in place to improve Reactive Works, Street Lighting Service Standard, Drainage Cleansing Maintenance and Contract Notifications for both Highways Works and Professional Services.In Quarter 3 of 2021/22, Lincolnshire Highways repaired 10833 faults and completed 11 miles of carriageway patching surfacing, 11 miles of footway resurfacing and reconstruction, cleansed 31,000 gullies and refreshed 80 miles of carriageway lining. Material prices, inflation, skills shortages, Covid 19 and supply chain disruption continued to disrupt service delivery. Inflation within Highways Works contracts resulted in an expected service cost increase of 16 per cent higher when compared to the previous year. New scheduling hubs in the North and South of the County were now in place. To tackle the inflation pressures on the contract, Lincolnshire Highways were looking to increase the volume of recycling within the contract. Recruitment for specialist roles within the engineering sector were proving difficult to attract and retain in the current climate particularly for Street Lighting and Drainage Engineers. The Traffic Signals Performance Indicators (PIs) remained at a high-level including emergency faults attended in in time at 97 per cent, standard faults attended in in time at 100 per cent and 46 requests for signals to be switched off for road works. The commissioning and operational fine-tuning of Holdingham Roundabout was also completed in Quarter 3. Members were given an overview of the National Highways and Transport (NHT) Public Satisfaction Survey Results with particular emphasis being given to the road condition being the lowest indication of public satisfaction. 0.64 per cent of contacts received entered the formal process for complaints representing a 25 per cent decrease in comparison to the previous quarter.

The Committee considered the report, and during the discussion the following comments were noted:-

·       Noting the £12.3m funding cut from the Department of Transport (DfT), Members asked when its impact was expected to be felt. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service explained that the funding regime referenced was likely to remain static for the forthcoming three years, however, for 22/23, the Council supplemented the funding gap within its budget. Going forward into future years, the gap in funding was yet unaddressed.

·       On the issue of Red Lion Square, Members asked if the disputed use of sets or tarmac had been resolved. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service offered to communicate with his colleagues to provide a complete response to the Committee.

·       Members asked, if a complaint was issued to a private bus service and then passed to the Council, was the detail of complaints available for their consideration. TheHead of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service explained that the detail of the complaints within the report only extended to those received directly from residents to the Council. The Head of Transformation for Transport added that there was a view to bring a quarterly report to the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee which would include detail of complaints received in relation to transport.

·       Referencing the suggested use of increased recycling to mitigate financial pressures, Members asked for further detail of the expected implications of such measures. Moreover, Members asked why such changes to recycling measures hadn’t been applied previously. TheHead of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service explained that, over the past six years, trials had taken place to reuse the road plannings that came from the highway and thus, in the event of bigger schemes, the recycled road plannings were turned into cold recycled bound material. This required significantly lower energy resources, compared to traditional asphalt, therefore creating efficiencies through oil and energy. The use of foam-based recycling only worked for a select number of locations within the County. Previously, little work had been done with supply chain partners limiting this operation’s viability, but officers were cautiously proceeding with this process.

·       In a follow up question, Members asked what the waste management implications were when disposing of road tar. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service explained that asphalt waste containing coal tar was considered hazardous and was disposed of in accordance with Environment Agency standards of encapsulation of cement then reused within the network thus avoiding the necessity for landfill. He estimated the authority would reduce 30-40,000 tonnes of material would be avoided going to landfill because of this operation.

·       Observing a decrease of apprentices working on contact, Members asked if measures were being undertaken to increase apprenticeships. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service stated that, although the internal target for apprentices wasn’t achieved, a target of nine overall was set for the next financial year and officers were confident that the volume of work planned would enable this. Moreover, the Council sought to encourage apprenticeships to support the robustness of the workforce.

·       In a follow up question, Members, noting that practical vocational work experience opportunities were of particular value to looked after children, asked if any formal arrangements were in place to encourage partners to offer work experience opportunities. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service understood that some supply chain partners actively encouraged work experience across their services, however he appreciated that there was room for improvement.

·       Members sought to determine the extent of the 10,500 repaired faults. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service stated that approximately 85 per cent of the Council’s repairs were saw cuts. The instances were saw cuts weren’t used, often occurred when the surrounding pavement wasn’t in a good enough position to make a long-lasting solution and an upcoming scheme was already in the programme.

·       While their appreciation of the Highways Appwas stressed, Members asked what was being done to address technical issues within it. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service was aware of the technical problems with the Highways Appand was engaging with software developers to find a resolution. Moreover, Balfour Beatty were endeavouring to produce a bespoke solution.

·       Noting the often-excessive growth of grass verges within some areas of the County, Members asked if there was sufficient flexibility within the contract to increase grass cutting among highly effected areas.The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service stated that policy was to cut verges three times per annum, however reactive cutting would be undertaken if safety or visibility concerns were raised.

·       Observing residents’ dissatisfaction with road conditions, within the NHT survey, Members asked what capacity contractors had to repair other close potholes after being called out for only one. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service was aware of the frustrations of residents in these situations and stated that, within the current contract, contractors could self-identity works on the network. However, contractors scheduled works throughout the day limited capacity to an extent that there was not sufficient float to enable ad hoc works.

·       Members were very impressed by the overall quality of pot hole repairs they had seen throughout the County.

·       Making reference to road closures, Members asked for further detail adding that they’d had complains from a number of residents. Some Members raised examples of Anglian Water taking excessive time while roads were closed. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service stated that, as a highways authority, the Council advise utility companies on the network availability and permit the type of road works required, but often, other organisations carrying out this activity for utility companies had separate teams to arrange closures and to carry out the actual works.  This often results in a time period when no activity is progressing on site. Moreover, while the works required could occasionally be completed prior to the road closures’ termination, the road would remain closed until it’s agreed reopening date. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service would ensure that this was communicated with the utility providers so that these sorts of occasions were minimised to ensure ongoing network availability.

·       While appreciating the generally good return rate of the NHT survey, Members raised disquiet with the limited representation of some younger demographics. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service explained work was being carried out, in collaboration with the Communications Team, to actively engage with underrepresented demographics to give a more accurate picture of public perception.

·       Members sought clarification on the rational for determining pot hole repair priority. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service explained there were a range of thresholds within the contract to meet demand but, on the whole, contractors endeavoured to find preventative solutions to mitigate damage to highways. Site visits were surveyed in line with the Council’s Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan, higher priority sites being regularly reviewed with lower hierarchies being reviewed once every four-year period.

·       Noting the timing of the Cross Keys bridge painting, Members sought clarify on the schedule of works for similar assets. The Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Service stated that often, such structures only required involved maintenance ever 20 years. However, due to the duration of the works these often extended into busy highways periods which the Highway Service always look to minimise.

RESOLVED

              That the Quarter 3 - Performance Report be noted.