Highway maintenance Function
Bridge strengthening (554) Service
Work carried out under the strengthening programme gives priority to principal road bridges. For substandard bridges on the non-principal road network, decisions are made whether to permanently weight restrict rather than strengthen.
Communal lighting (566) Service
The local authority is responsible for repairs to communal areas in blocks of flats including stairs, door entry systems, communal lighting, landings, communal windows, courtyards and sheds.
Drain and gully clearance (555) Service
Routine ditch and gully emptying (usually annual). Emergency clearance of ditches, gullies and drains when flooding of roads or pavements is occurring.
Pavement maintenance (537) Service
The local authority has responsibility for the maintenance of pavements within the area. They should provide advice on reporting dangerous pavements and what to do in the event of an accident resulting from trip hazards (holes, uneven paving slabs etc.) on the pavement.
Pavement obstructions (536) Service
Streetworks, roadworks, skips, scaffolds, hoardings, advertising boards and building materials that block the pavement are all considered to be causing an obstruction to pedestrians. The council is responsible for ensuring that such obstructions are removed.
Personal injury and damage claims (558) Service
Dealing with reports of personal injury and/or damage to property caused by faults or hazards on roads and pavements which it is the responsibility of the local authority to maintain.
Road bridges (553) Service
The local authority is responsible for any highway bridges it owns. These bridges should be inspected regularly and a programme of maintenance work drawn up to ensure their safety.
Road construction (1762) Service
Where the local authority is the highway authority for an area they can construct new roads where this is required as part of a road improvement scheme or to support new developments The council will typically have a road construction strategy and publish standards with which any new road needs to comply.
Road gritting (561) Service
Gritting of primary and secondary roads within the local authority area when weather conditions may prove hazardous (i.e. freezing temperatures). The local authority may also provide grit bins for public use on roads and pavements in potentially dangerous areas.
Road maintenance (557) Service
Maintenance and repair of potholes where the surface of the road has been eroded posing a risk to road users.
Road obstructions (550) Service
Highways must be kept clear of obstructions for safety reasons. The local authority has the power to serve notice on a person who commits an offence of wilful obstruction on the highway. In certain circumstances the courts allow the highway authority to remove obstructions and recover reasonable costs incurred in doing so from the offender.
Road surveys (549) Service
The council is responsible for carrying out repairs and for administering highway legislation. This includes planned and emergency maintenance, surveys and street works
Road works notification (569) Service
Notification of road closures, diversions and possible traffic disruption as a result of road works that are underway or programmed to take place within the area. Local authorities are obliged to publish a register of road adoptions and road works, which is available for public inspection.
Snow clearance (562) Service
Keeping roads and pavements clear of snow and ice in severe winter weather conditions.
Street furniture (559) Service
Provision and maintenance of street furniture such as seating, decorative lighting, cycle racks etc. to enhance local public areas.
Street lighting (564) Service
The local authority is responsible for maintenance and repairs of street lights, and lighting faults including illuminated bollards, signs and beacons.
Taxi ranks (786) Service
Provision of designated taxi ranks at key areas within the authority boundaries. Taxi ranks should be sited so that passengers board or alight from the taxi onto the footway on the nearside of the vehicle.
Verge maintenance (574) Service
The majority of grass verges adjacent to roads are within the public highway. The local authority is required to keep these safe and unobstructed.
Wall maintenance (563) Service
Maintenance and repair of walls or fences in a state of disrepair where there is a risk to public safety. This will include highway retaining walls and walls providing a safety barrier.