Agenda item - BHCC Highways Permitting Scheme for Street Works

59 BHCC Highways Permitting Scheme for Street Works

59.1    Cllr Muten presented the slides on the permit scheme for street works which shows the challenges being faced and explains the proposed lane rental scheme. The purpose is to improve coordination, reduce disruption, encourage collaboration and better forward planning. Permit applications are submitted to the national DFT system; the Council applies conditions to those permits to help minimise disruption and can issue fines under S74. Southern Water is the frequent source of overrunning works. The Council can also enforce high standards in areas of heritage. The current scheme lacks financial penalties with a maximum fine of £240. With the lane rental scheme the fines can be up to £2500 per day during peak hours which encourages utility companies to work quickly. The income is re-invested into transport projects. East and West Sussex County Councils, Kent and London have implemented this scheme and have proof that it speeded up roadworks. The team will be recommending to Cabinet that they apply to the Secretary of State for a lane rental scheme.

59.2    Cllr Sykes was positive about this proposal and asked about the benefit-cost ratio and how it is calculated; that the scheme must be cost neutral so is the income generated from the scheme limited to the cost of providing the service or can it be used on more citywide projects; that consultation could delay things but also be an opportunity to look at control points for sensitive things such as utility companies damaging heritage paving stones. Cllr Muten said that the benefit would be to take a more coordinated approach between utility companies but is not meant to make a profit. There was an instance where the gas company in Cllr Sykes’ Ward had not considered the heritage nature of the pavement and there is work that needs to be done, particularly with utility companies who do not know or live in the area to be more respectful. Tracy Beverley said that the permit schemes are reviewed every three years and any money that is made will go back into the scheme to pay for things like staff members, monitoring permits, and issuing notices if needed. The lane rental scheme allows a surplus to be generated which can be invested into improving networks and compliance around areas such as heritage.

59.3    Cllr Meadows said that often the road is dug up but there is no one working and it would be less disruptive if electricity and gas works dig up the road at the same time. The timing of permits and road closures needs to be clearer. She asked if the Council could charge them more if they don’t coordinate digs as it is so frustrating. Cllr Muten said the utility companies know where repairs are needed and they should talk to each other. The lane rental scheme incentivises them to do so and coordinate repairs so the work is done at the same time. The utility companies pay contractors to put cones out and are charged a day rate and there are long periods of nothing happening. The lane rental scheme would save money as they can share the cost of roadworks.

59.4    Bernadette Kent said that roadworks can have an adverse effect on disabled people. At a recent meeting, she was told about a wheelchair user who couldn’t get out of their building due to roadworks. Cllr Muten said utility companies need to be considerate of residents and it is their responsibility to communicate their work and they must consider access. Tracy Beverley said the current procedure says they are not allowed to work on the highway without considering the impact and that they should know better.

59.5    Mark Strong said that the definition of the busiest roads also includes pedestrians, cycling and wheelchair users and they can consult with groups like Possibility People to gain advice. He asked if the Council are doing work on the highways, do they have to apply to itself for a permit? Cllr Muten said that they would and have to pay for it. Tracy Beverley reassured Mark that pedestrians are considered when looking at the busiest streets. They will consult with key stakeholders, then put forward the top 10% traffic sensitive streets to the Government. Bernadette Kent asked if the OPC could be included in this consultation and Tracy Beverley said yes.

59.6    Cllr Fishleigh said that traffic management plans put in place are not fit for purpose. Often contractors working on the roads do not know the area and come from outside the city, getting caught in traffic jams themselves. She gave the example of the A259’s recent closure that caused chaos. Cllr Muten said it was a nighttime closure where the contractor had planned to return the road to use but the works overran and there was no daytime team to continue into the next shift. Lessons have been learned from this and they must now submit a contingency plan to avoid this happening again. He stressed the need for better communication with residents. He added that the lane rental scheme includes a Board where the council, utility companies and contractors can review traffic management plans together, supported by a dedicated officer to oversee these discussions.

59.7    Cllr Mackey said this is a good opportunity to better manage works near high footfall areas such as hospitals and transport interchanges, improving safe access for vulnerable users. She asked whether impacts on these groups could be monitored and whether smaller contractors might be disadvantaged by increased costs. Cllr Muten said the scheme would improve communication with residents and better address the needs of vulnerable users. He noted that some contractors lack local knowledge, as they are based outside the city, which can lead to poor communication. He added that the time disruptive equipment such as cones, materials and signage that have at time remained on the highway will be reduced from 20 days to five. He acknowledged that contractors would face costs for their equipment, which could increase costs for utility companies, but said this would incentivise better coordination and joint working to reduce disruption.

59.8    RESOLVED – that the report be noted.