A resilient network and network hierarchy

The resilient network are roads that we give priority to protecting in adverse conditions. Usually this is extreme weather – snow, ice and flooding – but it may also include events like industrial action and major incidents.

Following a succession of severe weather events, in the winter of 2013 to 2014 the Department for Transport (DfT) published their review of the resilience of the transport network. This recommended changes to improve the ability to recover quickly from these types of problems.

Read the review on the resilience of the transport network to extreme weather events.

Road network hierarchy

A network hierarchy – how we rank our roads and other highways assets according to importance - provides the building blocks that help us prioritise how we look after them.

Our existing road user hierarchy was developed in 2003 and has evolved over time. A review of this has led to the development of a new network hierarchy with a change of emphasis.

Roads are now classified by how much traffic uses the road rather than being defined by their road number or class – so a well-used minor road may be classed as more important than a less-used road with a higher A or B classification.

This means the status of the road or other highway asset may have changed which in turn will determine how it is maintained and the type of materials used to carry out repairs.

Access the resilient network and network hierarchy maps via the Derbyshire Mapping Portal.