Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Supporting Places)

The report provides an update on the strategic approach to transport asset management that has been adopted by this Council and an introduction and overview of the proposed Transport Asset Management Strategy (TAMS) included in appendix 1. Stockport Council adopted an asset management approach to the maintenance of transportation assets a number of years ago and the Highways Investment Programme commenced in 2014 is an example of the implementation of a more strategic approach to the investment and maintenance of the transportation networks.

The TAMS provides the guiding principles, objectives, processes, actions and current estimated investments that are needed to ensure that the performance of Stockport’s transport infrastructure can support our corporate aspirations whilst maintaining long term financial sustainability over the period from 2015 to 2034. It clarifies the links between our approach to management of transport assets and specific objectives for economic growth, environmental sustainability and the promotion of greater independence of people in Stockport to enable them to get out and about. The strategy identifies a preferred approach to investment but identifies that further work is required to clarify funding requirements for certain types of assets and that additional funding mechanisms would need to be investigated to achieve the investment required.

The Executive is recommended to:

·         Approve the Transport Asset Management Strategy as Stockport Council’s strategy for investment in maintenance of the transport network.

·         Approve that the financial profile in ANNEX 4 of the TAMS is used as the basis for future bidding for additional maintenance capital.

·         Support the development and implementation of the performance plan in Part 3 of the TAMS.

Sue Stevenson on Tel: 0161-474-4351 or by email on sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider an update on the implementation of the Council’s strategic approach to transport asset management and providing an introduction and overview of the proposed Transport Asset Management Strategy (TAMS). The TAMS provided the principles, objectives, processes, actions and current estimated investments that were needed to ensure that the performance of Stockport’s transport infrastructure could support the Council’s corporate aspirations whilst maintaining long term financial sustainability over the period from 2015 to 2034.

RESOLVED – That

·         the Transport Asset Management Strategy (TAMS) be approved as Stockport Council’s strategy for investment in maintenance of the transport network;

·         the financial profile in Annex 4 of the TAMS be approved for use as the basis for future bidding for additional maintenance capital;

·         the development and implementation of the performance plan in Part 3 of the TAMS be supported.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report provides an update on the strategic approach to transport asset management that has been adopted by the Council and provides an overview of the proposed Transport Asset Management Strategy.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the proposed strategy and the recommendations to be considered by the Executive.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the strategic approach to transport asset management that had been adopted by the Council and provided an overview of the proposed Transport Asset Management Strategy.

The Transport Asset Management Strategy provided the guiding principles, objectives, processes, actions and current estimated investments that were needed to ensure that the performance of Stockport’s transport infrastructure could support the Council’s corporate aspirations whilst maintaining long term financial sustainability over the period from 2015 to 2034. It clarified the links between the Council’s approach to the management of transport assets and specific objectives for economic growth, environmental sustainability and the promotion of greater independence of people in Stockport to enable them to get out and about. The strategy identified a preferred approach to investment but highlighted that further work was required to clarify funding requirements for certain types of assets and that additional funding mechanisms would need to be investigated to achieve the investment required.

The Transport Asset Management Strategy and associated documents needed to be central to the way that the highway network was managed and formed the basis for determining levels of service that:-

·         minimised safety risks;

·         met expectations;

·         met affordability criteria;

·         built resilience into the network; and

·         could be sustained for future generations.

There were four main highways structures where significant highway works were required over the next few years, namely Merseyway Precinct, A6 Wellington Road South viaduct, Greek Street bridge and Queens Road bridge in Cheadle Hulme.

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed about the works required to the A6 Wellington Road South viaduct and Greek Street bridge in terms of the closure of the A6 and the effect on the Town Centre Access Package respectively. The works would, of course, be carried out at such a time as to minimise their effect on motorists.

·         Concern was expressed about the major works required to highways structures in the town centre at a time when major developments such as Redrock and Stockport Exchange were being constructed.

·         Such was the scale of the works to some highways structures over the next few years, the Council should put greater emphasis on maintaining existing highways structures.

·         The importance of bidding for external funding to enable the works to be carried out was crucial.

·         The decline in public satisfaction with the condition of the roads in Stockport from 43.7% in 2009 to 25.6% in 2013 was highlighted.

·         A Member suggested the formation of a Stockport Infrastructure Partnership to ensure regular dialogue with other agencies.

·         The Highways Investment Programme aimed to mitigate the revenue pressures on the reactive maintenance and insurance budgets by improving the % of Category 3 modelled condition (widespread damage to the road surface) to 10% for carriageways and footways. This had required additional investment in reactive maintenance and a total capital investment of approximately £100.6m over a nine year delivery period.

RESOLVED – That the principles behind the Transport Asset Management Strategy be supported and the strategy be recommended to the Executive Meeting on 6 October 2015 for approval.