North Tyneside Council’s increased investment in highway maintenance is improving the condition of the borough’s road network.
That’s among the findings of the local authority’s HAMP (Highway Asset Management Plan) Annual Information Report 2019, which was considered by Cabinet on Monday 14 October.
The report reveals that the proportion of roads that should be considered for structural repairs has fallen over the past five years and, in the case of estate roads, has more than halved.
And it adds that there has been continued focus on improving the condition of footpaths after it was made a priority by North Tyneside Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE.
Around £5.5million is being invested by the local authority in the borough’s highway network in 2019/20. The highways service is delivered for North Tyneside Council by its partner Capita.
Cllr Carl Johnson, cabinet member for Environment and Transport, said: “We know that the condition of roads and pavements is a priority for residents.
“That’s why, in recent years, we’ve been making additional investment in our highways network.
“We know, in particular, that footpath maintenance is important to residents so there has been more funding allocated for this area of work. It’s led to visible footpath improvements across the borough and positive feedback from residents.”
In September 2017, Cabinet adopted an updated HAMP 2017-32 setting out the local authority’s approach to maintaining its highways and infrastructure in the most effective way.
The HAMP contains a commitment to providing Cabinet with an annual information report and this was presented to members on Monday, October 14.
The report includes the findings of independent condition surveys of the highway network. These show that currently only two per cent of A class roads should be considered for structural maintenance. For estate roads the figure is four per cent, which represents very good performance, and is a significant improvement compared to five years ago when the proportion was nine per cent.
Key to the improving picture is the principle of carrying out cost-effective preventative treatments on roads before they require structural repair.
The report adds that additional money continues to be invested in footpaths to meet the priority of North Tyneside Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE following feedback from residents. Improvement works have focused on high footfall areas such as town centres, key urban routes and residential areas.
