So far this financial year money has been saved on buying external work more cheaply. We recently set up a program delivery office to manage work in a more efficient way, and this new team is putting both the larger highways jobs, and many smaller ones through competitive tendering exercises.
As a result the price for many jobs has been coming in under what they had been estimated to cost. These savings have been ploughed back into the service and have funded a £3 million councillor-led program. All councillors were asked to suggest 2 roads that most needed resurfacing in their area. Officers are currently looking at all the suggestions and a list of which roads will be resurfaced will be agreed and published later this year.
In addition, money has been saved by new ways of working identified by our in-house laboratory team.
Rather than assume all waste dug out of the road for the surface dressing patching works contains hazardous waste, we are now testing the waste first to understand exactly what’s in it. If it does not contain coal tar, the waste can be disposed of in a more cost effective way, with potential savings of up to £250,000.
The amount of money paid out in compensation for damage to vehicles caused by potholes has been reduced. The final figure at the end of the financial year is likely to be £1 million less than the previous year. Fewer potholes ultimately means fewer claims for damages.
Councillor Charlotte Hill, Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, said:
“Being more careful with the money we have available means we can do more work on the roads, and really improve them for those who use them.
“We are now looking at the roads suggested by local councillors and will resurface as many of them as we can for the money we have available.
“This, in addition to the £70 million capital programme we have agreed recently, will mean that we really are about to make a step change in the condition of Derbyshire’s roads.”