2023

RH0460 - Gully Cleansing - Traffic management

A member authority is reviewing their Gully Cleansing strategy

They are specifically considering the use of a towable crash-cushion.

Please can you provide the following information:

• What traffic management provision do you currently employ for gully cleansing?
• Do you currently use a towable crash-cushion? If so:
• What is the type/make?
• What risk assessments are made?
• What training regime is in place?

 

RH0459 - Information on Rhinophalt

A member authority is keen to find out if other member authorities have used or are currently using Rhinophalt and if they would be happy to share their experiences?

 

RH0458 - Salary ranges for Road operatives/ Forepersons

This local authority is interested in establishing the pay ranges for Road operatives and Forepersons, please note this applies only to Local Government employees and not to any private ventures/partnerships.

 

RH0457 - Pay rates for gully emptier/ jetter operators

A local authority would like to ask other member authorities if they would kindly be willing to share the pay rates for those operating a gully emptier/ jetter?

 

RH0456 - Pay rates for jet patcher operators

A local authority would like to ask other member authorities if they would kindly be willing to share the pay rates for those operating a jet patcher?

 

RH0455 - Highways Services Provision

A member authority would be interested in hearing from other authorities on roads and highway services provision within your authorities.

They would be grateful to hear back from authorities who would be willing to share information below.

• Any Information on any new/innovative highway treatments, particularly for dealing with potholes.

• What does the statutory provision of operating services look like within your authority?

• Are you able to provide any examples of that demonstrates best practice, improved efficiencies or innovation that help to control costs?

• Income opportunities across highways and car parks, other than roadside advertising.

 

RH0454 - Turning off street lights to save costs

A member authority are looking at potential cost saving initiatives. One area they are exploring is completely turning off their street lights after a certain time during the night. They would be keen to hear from any authorities who have undertaken this.

 

RH0453 - Night switching of lighting columns

A member authority is seeking to implement part night switching of lighting columns.

They are seeking information on the public reaction:

Have you installed part night lighting on:

- A-roads

- Main road junctions and roundabouts

- Residential areas

- Rural villages

Did you consult with the public before implementation?

What percentage of lighting stock converted to part night?

Has the public reaction been mostly positive or negative?

Has any of the work been rolled back? -If so , what percentage has been rolled back?

 

RH0452 - Highways Lane rental by Utility companies

A member authority is seeking to implement a lane rental schemes on its highways (These involve charging a daily fee for the right to dig up the road by statutory undertakers)

Have you implemented a lane rental scheme?

Do you have a policy you can share?

Is it used regularly or only on specific roads?

How is it monitored?

Do you have a schedule of charges?

 

RH0451 - Pre-winter training for gritter drivers 

A member authority would like to to ask colleagues if they undertake training pre winter for their gritter drivers to keep them safe and compliant with the drivers regulations during the winter? If so, would you be happy to provide information on the training which is given?

 

RH0450 - Electric Vehicles - Effects on multi-storey car parks and highways

APSE is researching the effects of the switch to Electric vehicles on local authority car parks and the highway Please answer the following:

Carparks:

Do you own or operate multi-storey carparks If so how many and of what age?

Have you assessed them for maximum load bearing capability?

Who carried out the assessment?

Does this form part of the Council Asset review?

Highway:

Have you made any readjustments to your asset plans for wear due to heavier electric vehicles?

Do you anticipate this will be the case in future?

 

RH0449 - Traffic-Highway Severance on Nature – 270623

A member authority is researching the impacts of transport severance on nature recovery.

Looking at how the highway network impacts wildlife movement.

Have you looked into this issue of traffic severance?

• if so what have they trialled if anything to improve connectivity for wildlife?

have you tried any of the following:

                Installed Aco Wildlife Kerbs (retrofit or into newly constructed roads) Wildlife Kerb (aco.co.uk)

• • Installed Door mouse bridges
  • Constructed Green Bridges or investigated options for green bridges.

Adapted existing bridges for wildlife connectivity and how have they adapted them?

• • Installed wildlife tunnels underneath existing roads (retrofit)
  • Installed wildlife tunnels within newly constructed roads as part of the design
  • Installed mammal ledges as part of new bridge construction or retrofitted to existing bridges  / culverts

  Have you any policies on how new road infrastructure is constructed to ensure wildlife connectivity is factored in?

                If so please share.

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RH448 - Schedule 3 and Highways exemptions - 030523

Are you aware of the schedule 3 review by Defra ? Link

This relates to Schedule 3 of The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the delivery of SUDS

• What is the top concern if local authorities are asked to deliver the role of Suds Approval Body.
• Do you think you will be ready for a 2024 December commencement?
• What should be the priority to help be more prepared?

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RH447 - On Street EV Charging – 250423

A member authority is currently considering public guidance on vehicle charging cables that originate from private properties to enable the charging of electric vehicles where properties cannot accommodate vehicle parking.

They are therefore seeking other authorities who may be willing to share copies of their guidance and any types of approved cable protection devices e.g.

•              Cable Protection Mats

•              In laid footway cable channel

•              Cable supporting arm (See Diagram below)

Also any relevant comments from your insurers.

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RH443 - Parking on verges – 140223

A member authority is reviewing their policy on parking on grass and verges.

Do you have such a policy?

•              If so please can you share a copy?

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RH442 - Gully Cleansing – 010223

Please can you answer the following:

• Approximately how many gullies do you have?
• What operating model does your authority use? (e.g. does the authority outsource everything (routine, reactive, linear, footways, call-outs), Or are elements retained in-house?

             If outsourced:

•          What was the  main driver?
•          Have you realised any financial benefits?
•          What was the value of the contract/gully rate?
•          What, if any, operational/performance benefits and/or improvements have been realised?
•          Does you or your contractor adopt a 'smart' approach to cleansing?
•          If so, what approach/technology is used to facilitate this?

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RH441 - Highways Fees and Charges – 010223

APSE is looking the application of Highways Fees and charges

•              Please can you forward you current schedule of charges

•              Also any proposed increases

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RH440 - Residents Parking Permits - 160123      

A member authority is reviewing the operation of their residents parking schemes

They are seeking details of other schemes across the UK

Please can you answer the following:

• Do you offer a free first permit?
• What do you charge for first, second and subsequent permits?
• What exemptions do you offer?
• Have you ever changed the basis for payment ?
• What effect did this have on the demand for permits?

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RH439 - Street-lighting Tenders – 160123

A member district council manages around 2000 lighting columns across the borough including those on behalf of Parish Councils

They are seeking to retender the existing street-lighting contract to include general repairs and maintenance, inventory management and customer services. 

•              They would welcome copies of similar tender documents please?

•              Also any performance measures contained within existing contracts?