Highway condition surveys and major works
A proportion of the council's annual capital and revenue spending programme, is earmarked for improvements to those sections of carriageway and footway that have been identified as being in the greatest need. These improvements are targeted at borough roads for which no external funding is available.
We, like all London boroughs, receive funding annually for our principal road network from Transport for London, through the Local transport plan.
The sections of carriageway and footway that are chosen are based on the findings of an independent condition survey. A specialist contractor in highway condition surveys is assigned the task of surveying a list of pre-determined roads. The roads to be surveyed are based on the following:
- nominations from councillors
- requests from Brent residents and other users of the highway network, which are supported by highway engineers as meriting inclusion
- recommendations from highway engineers
The survey findings are produced in two lists, which gives a defect rating against each section of carriageway and footway inspected. Senior officers then analyse the findings for the 'top tier' of worst sections listed in these reports. Of the total number of roads surveyed, the budget available will only permit a small percentage of roads being included in the annual major works programme.
Following this analysis, these roads are then prioritised according to specific criteria:
- structure
- safety implications
- degree of usage
Costings are then taken to evaluate how many of these 'top tier' roads can be improved, given the total budget available for carriageway resurfacing and footway reconstruction schemes.
For 2004/2005, a proportion of the overall budget will be 'top sliced' for two specific areas. These are:
- various sections of footway that are subject to repetitive damage by vehicular encroachment. The existing footway structure will be replaced with modular paving laid on a concrete base to achieve an additional structural strength
- sections of concrete roads where the wearing course has worn away. Resurfacing such roads, will prove to be cost effective, as it will avoid a costly reconstruction programme being required in the future.
Upon completion of this exercise, details of the sections of carriageway and footway that have been selected, are listed in a report which is considered by The Executive. This committee ratifies the schemes which will form the basis of the annual major works programme.
In addition to the major works programme, a smaller budget is available in order that planned and responsive repairs to minor defects on footways and carriageways can be undertaken.
For further information, contact Highways Engineering:
020 8937 5113