Highways Agency

Chapter 3 - Effective maintenance

Where the Agency is now

10 Year Plan related outcome:

Road condition maintained to a high standard, so that the proportion requiring maintenance in any future year is held at an optimum level (between 7% and 8%). This is also the Agency's Public Service Agreement target.

Maintaining the network so that it is safe and available for use is the Agency's top priority and it is a world leader in this area. Surveys confirm that the network is already in good condition and the Agency is working to ensure it stays that way.

Where the Agency is now

Regular inspections and surveys are carried out to keep the network safe and identify where maintenance work is required. Techniques include the use of specially equipped vehicles that can survey the network as they drive along it. Computerised systems use this information to help improve the planning and targeting of maintenance and balance the costs of carrying out works against the delays to road users. To keep disruption to a minimum, wherever possible road works are undertaken outside peak hours. The Agency is also moving towards using single supplier contracts in fewer and larger areas to provide maintenance.

Whenever a road is resurfaced or a new one constructed, low noise surfaces are used wherever possible. The target in the 10 Year Plan is to resurface 60% of the network in lower noise materials by 2010 (see chapter 7, 'Environment').

Where the Agency wants to be by 2004/05

The Agency will look for ways to improve maintenance activities and provide value for money. Examples are the increasing use of technology such as ultrasonic, infrared and radar surveys to help predict when bridge maintenance is required.

The Agency also has an ongoing programme of research to develop new maintenance techniques and investigate and monitor the use of new materials. These include the use of low-cost, durable, fibre-reinforced resins for bridge repairs and re-cycled materials such as rubber, glass and aggregates for re-surfacing roads.

Delays caused by road works will be kept to a minimum by the development of new techniques to manage traffic and through improving the information provided to users. This will include new techniques for improving the signing of road works, the increased use of electronic road signs, the internet and the media (see chapter 6, 'Better Information'). These will help users to plan their journeys better so as to avoid road works where appropriate.

What the Agency will deliver in 2002/03

• The Agency will continue to invest in the network to keep it safe, well-maintained and available for use, whilst minimising any delays caused by road works.
• Information for road users will be improved; the fortnightly lane closure bulletin on the Agency website will be replaced by a new system, updated on a daily basis. A new scheme-based costing system will be introduced which will predict more accurately when maintenance is needed. 

How performance will be measured

How performance will be measured in 2002/03

The Performance Indicators set for the Agency by the Secretary of State are:

Indicator: The estimated proportion of the network likely to require maintenance in the next year.

Target: In order to deliver best value for money, maintain the network so that the proportion requiring maintenance within the next year is held between 7 and 8 %.

Indicator: Road User Charter standard for network availability

Targets: 98% of lanes available at all times(e.g. through keeping the maximum number of lanes open when carrying out routine works). 90% of routine maintenance works carried out outside of peak hours (Peak hours are set for each area and adjusted to take account of major events and holiday traffic).

Keeping up the standard

Maintenance includes a wide range of activities. These range from major reconstruction of roads, structures, resurfacing, assessing and repairing bridges, to the everyday upkeep of the network such as clearing litter and debris where necessary, cleaning road signs, servicing emergency roadside telephones, repairing road lighting and salting the roads before ice and snow are expected.

What is an 'optimum level' of maintenance?

Maintaining the network in a safe condition whilst minimising costs over time, disruption to road users and others, and the impact on the environment.