Highways infrastructure asset management is the term we use to describe how we maximise the lifespan of each asset by prioritising long term, planned maintenance to keep our road network safe and to support the economic, social and environmental well-being of the county.
To do this, we look at the age and condition of each asset and identify the most effective repair required. For example, it may mean a road is patched rather than resurfaced, but in the order of importance it is still fit for purpose for its level of use.
Our data
To manage our assets we need to know:
- the type of asset – road, bridge, streetlight and so on
- where it is located in the county
- why it is at this site and its value within the road network. Value includes issues like road safety and benefits for road users, such as ensuring they are able to travel between places safely and receive the relevant information to support their journey
- the repair and maintenance history of each asset and when it will need to be inspected, maintained or replaced
- how long it will last and how much it will cost to replace or repair throughout its lifecycle
- who is responsible for looking after and repairing it
The resilient network
The resilient network is our priority road network, which we work hard to always keep open, no matter the severity of the weather conditions.
Usually this is in extreme weather, such as snow, ice and flooding, but it may also include events like industrial action and major incidents.
Around 10% of the over 3,000 miles of road we manage falls into this category.
Assets
Our highways infrastructure asset management policy and strategy documents explain how we will deliver road-related services against our key priorities. They take into consideration residents' needs, the condition of the asset and how best use can be made of available resources. You can request a copy of our asset management policies using our highway policy document request form.
Policies that can be requested
We have a number of policies to guide our work. The policies are reviewed and agreed by county councillors.
Policies that you are able to request include:
Flooding
Flood response policy: This outlines our operational framework for how we prioritise and protect our road network before, during and after a flooding event.
Reactive road maintenance repairs: service response levels
Highway service level suspension plan: This document explains when we can trigger and provide interim levels for service for reactive maintenance response times within the highway.
Principles of asset management
Highway infrastructure asset management policy: This document sets out our commitments to asset management.
Managing our highway assets
Highway infrastructure asset management strategy and plan: This document sets out our overarching approach for managing the highway infrastructure asset.
Drainage
Highway infrastructure asset management plan drainage: This document provides the technical details that supports the management of our highway drainage assets including drains, ditches and gulley emptying.
Roads and pavements
Highway infrastructure asset management plan carriageways and footways: This document provides the technical details that supports the management of our carriageway and footway assets, including our roads, pavements, road markings, paths and verges.
Trees
Highway infrastructure asset management plan highway trees: This document provides the technical details that supports the management of our highway tree assets.
Benches, bus shelters and other street furniture
Highway infrastructure asset management plan street furniture: This document provides the technical details that supports the management of our street furniture assets.
Streetlights
Highway infrastructure asset management plan street lighting: This document provides the technical details that supports the management of our street lighting assets.
Bridges, retaining walls, footbridges and other structures
Highway infrastructure asset management plan structures: This document provides the technical details that supports the management of our structures assets.
Traffic signals and other electronic devices
Highway infrastructure asset management electronic traffic management: This document provides the technical details that supports the management of our electronic traffic management assets.
Data management
Highway infrastructure asset management data management strategy: This document outlines how we manage asset data.
Potholes and patching manual
Preventative reactive maintenance manual: This document outlines our approach to repairs of potholes in close proximity and similar nature to each other.
Approved materials used to repair and maintain our roads
Materials policy: This document explains our approach to material usage on the network.
Street lighting specification
Street lighting specification: This document outlines the requirements of street lighting installations on our highway network.
Useful documents to explain the work of the highways service
The documents listed below are available to download at the end of this page, in alphabetical order.
Guide to highways
The guide to highways provides a useful and accessible overview about the different services provided by our highways team, with an A to Z guide listing different organisations' responsibilities.
Asset management annual review
The road network includes a diverse range of assets including pavements, streetlights, road signs, bridges, drains and traffic lights.
The review explains our approach to maintaining assets across the road network and our progress to deliver targets to meet our council plan priorities.
The document also outlines budgets and financial expenditure across the service.
Accessibility
The documents attached to this page may not meet accessibility standards. If you require any in alternative formats please request copies of documents using our highway policy document request form. This form is not to report issues on the highway.