The Economy & Infrastructure Service Transformation Committee met on Thursday 12 December 2024 to discuss the Highways Asset Management Plan and the council's work plan. The committee approved the Highways Asset Management Plan for 2025-2035, which outlines the strategy for managing the council's highway assets, and noted the updated work plan.

Highways Asset Management Plan

The committee discussed and approved the Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP) for 2025-2035. This comprehensive plan, developed in accordance with national guidance and good practice from the All Wales Road/Highway Asset Management Project, sets out the council's approach to managing its highway assets over the next decade. The HAMP aims to ensure that the network is managed effectively, taking into account financial resources, asset condition, stakeholder needs, and local priorities to deliver defined outcomes.

Bob Fenwick, Group Leader for Highways, presented the plan, highlighting that the council's highway network is its largest and most valuable asset, with a replacement value exceeding £2 billion. He explained that the plan moves away from a reactive worst-first approach towards a more proactive strategy that includes preventative maintenance to maximise the lifespan of the network and achieve better value for money.

Key aspects of the plan discussed include:

• Asset Value and Backlog: The highway network has an estimated backlog of work valued at over £75 million for carriageways alone. This figure is expected to rise due to inflation and increasing material costs.
• Maintenance Strategy: The plan advocates for a balance between resurfacing and preventative maintenance, with a recommended split of 60% preventative and 40% reactive work for maximum efficiency. A three-year forward works programme will be published annually.
• Environmental Challenges: The plan acknowledges the significant impact of environmental conditions, including harsh winters causing freeze-thaw damage and increased flooding due to more intense rainfall. The rise in sink hole incidents was also noted.
• Traffic and Future Demands: The plan addresses the challenges posed by increased traffic levels, modern commercial vehicles, and the growing adoption of electric vehicles, which are heavier and can cause more wear and tear.
• Customer Expectations: The council receives approximately 10,000 calls annually regarding highway issues, with a significant proportion relating to carriageway defects (potholes) and street lighting faults. The plan aims to improve transparency and customer satisfaction.
• Specific Assets: The plan details strategies for managing various highway assets, including carriageways, footways, street lighting, structures, and traffic signals. For street lighting, the plan highlights the near-completion of the LED replacement programme, which has significantly reduced energy consumption.
• Budgetary Considerations: The plan assumes a relatively static budget, but acknowledges that reduced funding would lead to increased deterioration and higher reactive maintenance costs. The need for continued investment in the highway network was emphasised.
• New Materials and Technology: Discussions touched upon the potential use of new materials, such as bosk slag for carbon capture in resurfacing, and the ongoing trials and considerations for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, including the challenges of cables crossing pavements.

Councillor Mike White raised concerns about accountability for damage caused by items placed on the carriageway, such as skips, and enquired about systems for monitoring customer complaints and key performance indicators (KPIs). Bob Fenwick explained that while it can be difficult to prove liability for damage, the council has systems in place to recover costs from developers and statutory undertakers. He also detailed the various KPIs used to measure performance, focusing on statistical data like road condition and defect repair times.

Councillor Stuart Davies, Head of Service for Highways and Transportation, and Councillor Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure, both commended the work of Bob Fenwick and his team, particularly their efforts during recent severe weather events. They also welcomed the HAMP, with Councillor Davies noting that the £75 million backlog figure was lower than he had anticipated.

Councillor Davies also addressed the issue of cut-down lampposts, stating that while LED replacements are nearing completion, the council is prioritising the removal or replacement of cut-down columns as funding allows. He also discussed the complexities surrounding EV charging infrastructure, including the need for Welsh Government feedback on trials and the potential for parking tensions.

Regarding new developments, Councillor Davies explained that the council assesses the traffic impact of planning applications and can secure improvements such as junction signalisation. However, he clarified that developers cannot be levied for the enhanced maintenance burden caused by increased vehicle traffic.

Work Plan

The committee noted the updated work plan for 2024-2025. The Shared Prosperity Fund item has been moved to January, and Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2) has been moved to February. The Chair, Councillor Philip Downing, wished members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.