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Road adoption: Steps taken to improve the road adoption process September 2011. Nick Gough Area Highway Development Control Manager - SW Hertfordshire. Summary. The Scrutiny Topic Group questions: Has the highway authority given greater clarity on roads considered for adoption?
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Road adoption:Steps taken to improve the road adoption process September 2011 Nick Gough Area Highway Development Control Manager - SW Hertfordshire
Summary The Scrutiny Topic Group questions: • Has the highway authority given greater clarity on roads considered for adoption? • What steps have been taken place to agree the extent of adoption at the planning stage? • What steps have been taken to ensure long term maintenance of un-adopted roads? • What measures have been introduced to reduce the number of roads waiting to be adopted?
Has the highway authority given greater clarity on roads considered for adoption? Actions: • Only the main access road will be considered for adoption. • Roads serving underground car parks, supported by structures or taking the form of short culs-de-sac with no wider highway benefit will not be considered for adoption. • The new approach to adoption was incorporated in the revised highway design guide which was launched in February 2011. • The design guide is available to all interested parties via the hertsdirect.org website.
What steps have been taken place to agree the extent of adoption at the planning stage? Actions: • Development Team approach restated in draft NPPF • Greater opportunities with more pre-application discussions • Close working between highways DC officers and LPA colleagues • In principle extent of adoption agreed and described in highways consultation response • Advisory note telling applicant to contact Hertfordshire Highways to start the S 38 road adoption process
What steps have been taken to ensure long term maintenance of un-adopted roads? Actions: • HCC responsible for maintaining adopted highway according to the Asset Management Plan • Maintenance of non-standard elements funded by commuted sums • Even if roads are not to be offered for adoption HCC suggests that they are all constructed to HCC standards • Planning Authority could impose condition requiring management company to be established
What measures have been introduced to reduce the number of roads waiting to be adopted? Actions: • Historical schemes from the days when the boroughs and districts had highway agency agreements • Many reasons for delay are beyond the control of the highway authority • Parliamentary working party • One-hit single list of defects • List of outstanding roads reducing • More in the final presentation of the day