Agenda item

(To receive a report by Paul Rusted, Infrastructure Commissioner, in connection with the performance of the highways service including the Lincolnshire Highways Alliance, Major Highway Schemes Update and the Customer Satisfaction Information (including service specific complaints and compliments))

(Note: Councillor R G Fairman arrived in the meeting).

The Committee received a report on the performance of the highways service including the Lincolnshire Highways Alliance, Major Highway Schemes update and the Customer Satisfaction Information, including service specific complaints and compliments.

Officers highlighted the following issues since the publication of the report:-

·    The Lincoln East West Link – was now completed and opened to the public with a few minor snagging matters to address.

·     Skegness Countryside Business Park - there were still some issues to be addressed.

·    Go Skegness – work was due to be completed by the end of March 2017.

·    Lincoln Southern By-Pass – the Department for Transport had rejected the Council's bid submitted in July 2016 for funds to develop the scheme to planning application stage. Executive Councillor R G Davies stated that he had recently met the Minister for State for Transport to discuss the reasons for the lack of progress and it was noted that officers would examine the matter further to see if any progress could be made.

·    Lincoln Eastern By-Pass – the Department for Transport had announced that they had approved the release of £50m funding for the project. Network Rail would start their necessary work on the project on 6 December 2016.

·    Lincoln Rail Footbridges – it was noted that the High Street rail footbridge lift had broken down again. The County Council was not prepared to accept liability for the bridge as it presented an unacceptable liability to the highway authority.

·    Sutterton Roundabout – a tender submitted by North Midland Construction had been accepted for the project by the Council.

The Committee commented on the various schemes and in particular expressed disappointment to the rejection of the bid for funding for the Lincoln Southern Bypass and enquired when the Council would take on liability for the High Street Bridge, Lincoln. Councillor R G Davies stated that with regard to the Lincoln Southern Bypass the reasons for rejection were in connection with the viability and economic growth issues of the project.

Officers stated that the Council was not expected to take on liability for the High Street bridge.

With regard to the Lincolnshire Highways Alliance for year 7, quarter 2, July to September 2016, officers stated that the overall performance was good. Members commented on the need to mend street lighting which was considered essential like that provided in areas where there were large numbers of vulnerable elderly people living and whether the Council repaired footway lighting on behalf of District Councils. Executive Councillor R G Davies stated that the policy was proposed to complete the street lighting transformation project first before any repairs to street lights took place. Officers agreed to send the details of the Council's policy on the repair of broken street lights to members and parish councils and would ensure the policy was placed on the Council's website. Officers agreed to circulate the Council's policy on the repair of footway lighting to members.

In response to an enquiry from the Committee about some contracts currently performing 100% not performing well, officers stated that key performance targets were updated each year and members would be updated when they became available.

RESOLVED

(a) That the report and comments made by the Committee be noted.

(b) That the issues identified in connection with street lighting and key performance indicators be actioned by officers.