Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.  To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Transformation and Public Realm]

To set out the capital and revenue investment in highways and Public Realm improvements schemes (2021/22).

The Cabinet Member for Transformation and Public Realm Investment introduced the report which sought approval for the Highways Investment Plan for 2021/22 financial year.  Transport played a pivotal role in daily lives with the global pandemic highlighting the need to provide welcoming and accessible streets and public realm to facilitate daily walks and socialising outdoors.  It was important to keep up the investment in Haringey’s streets and continue the aim to ensure that Haringey has a high quality and safe highway with a reliable public transport system, accessible to all.  The Cabinet Member thanked staff in the Highways team for their work on the plan.

The Cabinet Member and Peter Boddy, Highways and Traffic Manager, responded to questions from the Cabinet and Councillor Emery:

-           Although Lordship Lane covered a number of wards, only the worst sections of the road would be repaired due to funding limitations.

-           A formula was used to assess the maintenance proposals and only those with a score above 65 were included in the programme.  As more investment was provided, the criteria would be lowered and more roads would be included in the programme going forward.

RESOLVED to:

1.         Approve the Highways Investment Plan for 2021/22 financial year as set out in section 7 of the report; and

2.         Give delegated authority to the Head of Highways and Parking, consequential on the Highways Investment Plan:

·      To make decisions relating to scheme design and implementation;

·      To carry out consultation;

·      To consider representations received in response to consultation and to report significant or substantial concerns back to the relevant Cabinet Member; and

·      To make traffic management orders, where there are no valid objections.

Reasons for Decision

This HIP sets out the Council’s highways and traffic projects for the coming financial year and how they align with the Council’s strategic objectives.

The report provides detail of the funding arrangements and seeks authority to proceed with the development and delivery of these projects subject to appropriate consultation.

Alternative options considered

No other options were considered. The Council has a statutory obligation to maintain the public highway network.

Allocated funding is not sufficient to cover all maintenance requirements and the proposals prioritises the essential works that needs to be delivered. The 2021/22 investment plan has been informed by the Council’s Transport Strategy and LIP3 which involved consultation with key stakeholders. The maintenance works programme has been prioritised through highway condition surveys by officers, visual inspections, and concerns raised by Members and by the wider community.