Decision details

The Chief Officer: Planning and Transport, and the Traffic Manager, presented a report on the Highway Network Management Action Plan.

The report invited the Panel to consider and comment on the Highway Network Management Action Plan prior to its determination by the Executive Member for Planning & Transport on 31 July 2012. The Action Plan contained the key actions the Council would undertake to deliver its statutory Network Management duty under the Traffic Management Act 2004.

Arising from Members’ questions and comments the following points were made:

• BFC were limited by existing legislation and only had certain powers to resolve problems with utilities companies in the borough. BFC could enforce utilities work via a permit scheme where companies would need to notify BFC of their works and receive permission for them to be undertaken. In this way BFC could ensure that works were properly planned.
• The Highway Network Management Action Plan would give BFC support, endorsement and direction. The operation of works depended on the operator but BFC wanted to gain more control in this area.
• BFC could issue defect notices, charge financial penalties for over running and would litigate if necessary.
• A Section 58 restriction could be placed on works following road surfacing which would ban works other than service connections and emergency works. This was an automatic restriction.
• Panel Members would be provided with further information on where action had been taken by Bracknell Forest Council against utilities companies undertaking works in Bracknell and the penalties given.