Agenda item

AL : Northampton Highways founded in April 2013 to deliver highway services. They work to County Council services and work on new developments etc. AL is a Community Engagement Manager and is a point of call for the forum.

TM: Asked about resurfacing and enquired as to how long it lasts?

AL: Depends on the work. Patching repairs are supposed to last 5 years. More expensive options last longer. There is no categorical answer as it depends on traffic but a minimum of 5 years.

TM: There are lots of pot holes and they are being left. They will become larger.

AL: There is a limited budget. The Highway budget is 50% of what it was. Have to work on the policy of the County Council which is that a pot hole has to be 50 mm deep before it can be dealt with.

BN: A resident from Austin Street wrote to the Chronicle. She thought that her road was the worst road in the county. BN went there and the road was very bad. But this is a cul de sac. BN read out email that he sent to complain about Elm Hurst. BN was referred to Alex Hill and then referred to Stuart Mann. Would like a reply to the email.

AL : Asked for the reference number (752799) and respond to the email.

BN stated that Michael Ellis MP received £1.8 million. Can you use this money?

Cllr Oldham: Money offered to each county councillor to pick one street. There are two pots of money – one form central government and some from Michael Ellis MP. 

DH: Believed that patching repairs are supposed to last 75 years but only last 6-8 months. Roads are perfect in the affluent areas. DH commented that the problem lies in contracts. There are weeds in the footpaths. DH commented that Herbicide is being sprayed in September and should have been sprayed in Spring.

This work is contracted to Enterprise through NBC. DH asked AL who polices contracts to make sure we get best value for money.

AL answered that they have a contract monitoring scheme in place.

DH: People should ring the street doctor to report issues. Weeds are coming out all of the paths.

Cllr Oldham: Referred to the Bridleways in Green Lane, West Hunsbury.  – will talk to AL about this after the meeting.

There are  roads which have sunk and when it rains the water ices over. What criteria are there for this issue?  Is this a subsiding problem?

AL: Safety inspector will assess this issue.

Cllr Oldham: Can Hunsbury Close be assessed? When the water freezes over it causes problems.

AL: Will look into this.

DH: There is a complicated system for the roads of Northampton with regards to refuse collection. Two ash carts come which creates pressure on the roads. Sewers are collapsing. Dips will become big holes. The weight of vehicles doesn’t help.

Cllr Oldham: Prevention is better than cure. Cannot measure prevention and cures cost money. There are accidents waiting to happen with the potholes, please try to deal with this as there are problems everywhere.

BN: The National Grid has been in our area for 6 weeks. There was a large amount of earth which was not cleared. This created problems, can this be checked please.

AL: The Highways Agency have a statutory right to look under the roads. Random inspections are carried out. The area of NN3 2LS will be looked into.

RR: Asked what the situation is with regards to the procedure of monitoring work done by other agencies on the roads. RR suggested that a retainer should be kept to make sure companies do their jobs properly.

AL: The Traffic Management Act helps with this. Companies have to guarantee trench work but don’t have proper power with some companies.

RR: Suggested that agencies should ask residents associations to help. Volunteers could be trained to monitor this work is completed to a satisfactory standard.

AL: Happy to discuss this further. Perhaps have a pilot scheme.

MH: Concerned about road markings especially on corners. People park on corners and this causes an obstruction eg Tudor St. would like to see double yellow lines on the corners.

Cllr Oldham: This is a matter for police and Highways Agency. We need to use speed cameras. Every time there is request for yellow lines the police are consulted. Police then look at the analytical data to see if this feasible.

AL: Have proven accident data and there is a limited budget. Have to prioritise where to do this. There is a consultation process including the police. Lines are reviewed once every 12 months. This way one lot of legal costs are paid and everything is looked at together.

DH: See your local councillor if you have problems.