Decision details

The Highway Improvement Programme, mainly funded by the Integrated Transport Block Allocation and developer contributions, is made up of several thematic programmes e.g. Community Highway Schemes, Strategic Transport Improvements and Local Transport Improvements.

Each of the thematic programmes are developed independently and collated into a countywide programme each Autumn, before being approved by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport for delivery over the following two financial years. 

A project was commissioned in September 2021 to review how schemes in the Highways Improvement Programme are identified, prioritised, developed and delivered.  The work specifically examined how the County Council ensures the Highway Improvement Programme delivers County Council priorities whilst responding to the needs of local communities.

Developing recommendations were presented to the Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee in March 2022. The Committee was supportive of the proposed new ways of working with communities and approach to prioritisation of schemes.

The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport will be asked to approve the new approach to the prioritisation and delivery of the Highways Improvement Programme.

The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport has approved that –

(1)         subject to the successful completion of a pilot to assess and prioritise Community Highway Schemes for inclusion in the Highways Improvement Programme from 2023/24, the new Assessment Framework is used toassess and prioritise all potential schemes for inclusion in the Programme from 2024/25 onwards.

(2)         following a review of the pilot for Community Highway Schemes, the new Assessment Framework is used to assess and prioritise all potential schemes for inclusion in the Highways Improvement Programme from 2024/25 onwards.

(3)         schemes in the Road Safety Programme are excluded from the assessment process approved under (a) above.

(4)         a programme of ‘simple’ Community Highway Schemes that can be delivered in one year is developed on an annual basis.

(5)         guidance is drafted and made available online to assist communities as they develop Community Highway Schemes for assessment through the new Framework.

None