Agenda item

Councillors Eddie Lavery and Michael White attended the meeting and spoke as Ward Councillors.

Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:

• The cul-de-sac in Seymour Gardens had not been re-surfaced since the properties were built.
• The condition of the road had impacted in limiting the mobility of elderly residents.
• There were currently no drop kerbs.
• Residents were passionate about maintaining the area but this was not helped by the condition of the road, which looked very patchy.
•  Last year, two months after patch work on the road had been carried out; the road looked like it had two different sections of tarmac.
• It was suggested that the patchy appearance of the road would be resolved if it was fully re-surfaced.
• It was suggested that other roads nearby had been fully re-surfaced.
• Concerns were raised about the road being hazardous to mothers pushing buggies.
• It was requested also that consideration be given to assigning parking lines to improve parking conditions in the future.
• Petitioners suggested that residents would like the road to be fully re-surfaced in line with the smaller nearby back roads.
• Ward Councillors acknowledged the present financial priorities, but suggested that funding for the repair of Seymour Gardens could be found, as estimated cost was low.
• Appreciated that the use of the cul-de-sac was relatively low.

Councillor Keith Burrows listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. He asked officers whether there had been any change to the condition of the road, since the report was written. Officers advised that fretting in the road was still no greater than 40mm, which was the minimum intervention level for the immediate repair of dangerous defects.

Councillor Burrows explained that he appreciated that although the estimated cost for the works to be carried out would be minimal, in the grand scheme of things, petitioners’ request for road repairs had to be weighed up against the outcome of the UKPMS survey carried out annually. This survey assessed all roads and the result was used to prioritise work required as high, medium or low. Councillor Burrows empathised with residents who were clearly passionate about their cul-de-sac.

The Cabinet Member asked officers what the cost would be for resurfacing Seymour Gardens compared to the cost of isolated carriageway treatment.

Officers advise that instructions had not been given to establish this cost but they would endeavour to find out if required.

Councillor Burrows advised that he would change recommendation two in the officer’s report to instruct officers to establish the cost of resurfacing Seymour

Gardens, so that it could be compared with the cost of isolated carriageway treatment.

The Cabinet Member added that although the issue of ‘crossing point’ did not form part of the petition, officers would be instructed to see what could be done about this matter. The lead petitioner would be contacted by officers to arrange a site visit and Ward Councillors would be notified of the outcome.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member:

1. Met and discussed with petitioners, their concerns regarding the condition of the carriageway surface and their request to improve parking conditions.

2. Instructed officers to report to the Cabinet Member, the cost of carriage way surface treatment compared to the cost of resurfacing.

1. Subject to the outcome of (2), instructed officers to either move forward with isolated carriageway surface treatment during a future programme or, report established cost back to the Cabinet Member.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

Officers consider that substantial parts of the carriageway surface are in reasonably good repair at this time. Parts of the existing carriageway surface that remains in place has deteriorated with shallow fretting in small isolated areas of the carriageway. The failure is due to the natural ageing of the bitmac surface, which is now slowly disintegrating after an estimated life of 25 to 30 years. This is not dangerous but does give the road a “patchwork” appearance. Officers therefore consider that during a future programme, limited patching work should be carried out and the road resurfaced with a thin surfacing or surface dressing.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

Resurfacing would also provide a smoother riding surface, maintain the asset value of the highway and improve the visual aspect of the street. However extensive areas of the road are still in comparatively good repair and alternative methods of maintenance, apart from normal resurfacing to a depth of around 40mm, should be considered.