Road adoption: Steps taken to improve the road adoption process September 2011

1. Road adoption:Steps taken to improve the road adoption process September 2011 Nick Gough Area Highway Development Control Manager - SW Hertfordshire

2. 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?

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Any questions