Agenda item

This item was considered following item 10 (22/00095 - Highway Weed Control Contract).

Andrew Loosemore (Head of Highways Asset Management) was in virtual attendance for this item.

1.    Mr Brazier introduced the report which explained the temporary road closure process and trends in Kent over the past five years. He recognised that temporary road closures affected many residents and that in many instances KCC was required by law to permit road closures.

2.    Mr Loosemore gave a detailed overview of the report. He noted that minimum road width, which stood at 3m from the edge of works, was the main factor which required road closures. He outlined the instances where KCC was required by law to agree to external road works, which included upgrades and maintenance by utility providers on their own infrastructure, with these organisations self-monitoring as set out in primary legislation. He explained how officers applied the regulations, with no advanced notice required for emergency works and confirmation 2 hours after the works mandatory, whilst KCC were informed of planned works 12 weeks in advance and ensured that work near schools was completed outside of term time. It was confirmed that emergency works constituted around 1/3 of all temporary road closures and that KCC Highways asset maintenance made up 45% of all closures.

3.    In relation to section 1.5 of the report, which outlined the code of practice on minimum road widths, Mr Rayner asked whether the regulations reflected the current operating reality.

4.    Mr Rayner commented that contractors needed to be quicker in removing notices and equipment following the completion of works, to reopen roads as soon as possible and alleviate the impact on the local highways network. He asked that a code of practice be considered in order to share learning from previous issues and enshrine good practice. Mr Jones reassured the committee that Highways were in ongoing dialogue with contractors and recognised that understanding the consequence of works was important, which would be enhanced with further data categorisation.

5.    The chairman stated that the rapid increase in road closures over recent years had become source of extreme nuisance for many residents in the county and that KCC should reduce the number and impact of closures, where possible, including a further use of temporary traffic lights to allow routes to stay open.

6.    The chairman moved and Mr Rayner seconded a motion “that the committee:

a)    “note the 225% increase, to nearly 16,000, in road closure permits issued between 2018 and 2022;

b)    recommend that the Cabinet Member tasks highways officers with seeking to reduce the number of road closure permits issued in the county to levels of the year ending 2018, namely fewer than 5,000;

c)    recommend that the Cabinet Member ensures that every road closure should carry conditions of extended hours and weekend working to shorten the disruption suffered by road users;

d)    recommend that the Cabinet Member ensures there is a programme of rigorous enforcement of conditions and organisation of diversions; and 

e)    requests that Scrutiny Committee undertake a Short Focused Inquiry into reducing the numbers of road closures in the county.”

7.    Mr Brazier shared his concerns that the target set by the motion was unrealistic, given that KCC could not control or reduce the amount of road closures required for emergency works or planned works required by utility companies under statute. 

8.    Mr Watkins suggested auditing samples of emergency and planned works to understand whether works were carried out in the appropriate manner and timeframe.

9.    Mrs Dean commented that there should be further investigations into how closures impacted other roads and diversions in the local highways network. She asked whether KCC had the flexibility to charge different road closure rates, including a reduced rate for community events. Mr Loosemore confirmed that charging was set annually and that whilst there were many instances where community and civic events were not charged, commercial events were charged.

10. Mr Sandhu spoke in support of the motion and requested that utility companies and authorities be contacted as part of the closures planning process to reduce the possibility of a back-to-back road closures. He stated that night-time works in residential areas should be discouraged.

11. Members voted on the motion. The motion passed by majority vote.

RESOLVED that the committee:

a)    note the 225% increase, to nearly 16,000, in road closure permits issued between 2018 and 2022;

b)    recommend that the Cabinet Member tasks highways officers with seeking to reduce the number of road closure permits issued in the county to levels of the year ending 2018, namely fewer than 5,000;

c)    recommend that the Cabinet Member ensures that every road closure should carry conditions of extended hours and weekend working to shorten the disruption suffered by road users;

d)    recommend that the Cabinet Member ensures there is a programme of rigorous enforcement of conditions and organisation of diversions; and 

e)    requests that Scrutiny Committee undertake a Short Focused Inquiry into reducing the numbers of road closures in the county.