Agenda item

Thereport provides an update on progress with the delivery of the approved Local Transport Plan programme for 2021/22. 

David Laux, Head of Technical Services introduced the report which covered the Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme agreed in March and the preparations for the 22/23 programme. 

A draft programme of £19.015m was consulted on with Local Area Councils in February 2021.  At that stage there was uncertainty regarding the capital allocations From DfT for 2021/22 and therefore a prudent view had been taken regarding the likely funding available based on the previous year's base allocations.  Details of the programmes were outlined in the appendices of the report. 

The County Council had also made an additional investment of £15 m for highways maintenance.  An initial programme for £10m of this funding was approved on 9 April 2020 and the second phase of the programme for £5m was approved on 17 March 2021. 

The report provided updates on progress across the whole county. 

Locally, there were 38 integrated transport schemes, 11 of which had been completed including some highways safety schemes at the Three Horse Shoes and Stead Lane, Bedlington; interactive queue signs on the A189 on the approach to the Moor Farm roundabout; 6 schemes had works orders issued including the new Pegasus crossing for horses and cyclists at the Avenue, Seaton Delaval, a 20 mph safety scheme at Doxford Place, works at Bedlington bank and Meadowdale Academy and another 14 schemes in progress including improvements in Bedlington. 

On the maintenance side, there were 25 schemes, 12 of those were complete including the Klondyke Bridge scheme and schemes at Fisher Lane, Stead Lane and a number of micro surfacing schemes. There were a further 11 schemes in design including the Spine Road resurfacing and Bedlington Bank safety scheme.   

The programme was progressing well but there had been a number of challenges with delivery with a possible slippage into the next financial year. 

Officers were working on a project to provide better information in future to members on the  progress on individual schemes going forward. 

Preparations had commenced for the development of the 2022/23 capital programme.  In July, letters had been sent out to all County Councilors and Parish and Town Councils asking them to identify priorities issues for their Ward or Parish so that they could be considered in the prioritisation process for 2022/23.  Responses were to be submitted by 8 October.  Once responses were received, they would be logged and assessed by Council priorities.  These would be discussed as part of the annual Members LTP workshop and then considered alongside other information with discussion with the Portfolio Holder.  The agreed draft programme would then be shared with Local Area Councils in February 2022 for approval for the 2022/23 financial year. 

Members raised the following: 

• Officers were thanked for the work that had been carried out in A192 Holywell/Earsdon 

• The road was collapsing in various places in Holywell, would that be part of the next LTP.   
• Omission of a section of microsurfacing in North Ridge. 
• What did the road safety scheme at Bedlington bank involve? 
• Maintenance of footpaths in Cramlington after being dug up for broadband.  Did highways have an input of inspections or was it street works? 
• Was the work on Klondyke bridge now complete? 

• An update on discussions with Highways England in respect of Moor Farm 
• The 20 mph outside of schools 

Mr Laux responded as follows: 

• The condition of the road in Holywell would be taken back to officers.  Any roads classed as a defect would have an adhoc inspection by Highways officers. 
• He did not have the full detail of the road safety scheme and would get the details and report back. 
•  Streetworks Inspectors were very clear on the national requirements to make sure reinstatement was in line with national specification but the Council could not make utility companies do more than this.   
• The work on Klondyke bridge was now complete. 
• He had not been directly involved in discussion with Highways England and either Rick O’ Farrell and Rob Murfin would be able to provide the information. 

• The 20 mph schemes process were hoped to be streamlined and to use more resources to try and push forward with the Design Team. 

RESOLVED that the information be noted.