Information on Loughborough

County’s roads amongst the best in the UK

Posted on 10/08/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Highways, Transportation & Waste Management

10 August 2009

County’s roads amongst the best in the UK

Studies have shown Leicestershire’s roads are some of the best in the country.

First quarter performance reports show the county’s roads are in tip-top condition.

According to the reports, 97 per cent of ‘A’ class roads and 96 per cent of ‘B’ and ‘C’ class roads are in good shape.

Both of these measures are part of the Government's ‘National Indicator Set‘ and the high percentage puts Leicestershire amongst the best-rated counties in the UK.

Local authorities use hi-tech scanning equipment, instructed by the Government, to survey the road surfaces.

Each year all of the ‘A’ roads and 50 per cent of ‘B’ and ‘C’ roads are surveyed to measure the texture of road surface and check for defects such as ruts and cracks.

This information is then used to determine where road maintenance is needed.

Lesley Pendleton, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet lead member for Highways, said: “We manage 1,152 miles of classified roads around the county. Out of this, only a very small proportion of A, B and C roads have exceeded the survey thresholds and therefore may require maintenance.

“Having a well maintained, safe and serviceable road network is essential for economic prosperity and social well-being. This is a phenomenal record and we are proud to have one of the best road networks in the country. “

To view details on the local transport plan and progress to date, visit: www.leics.gov.uk/ltp

- Notes to editors -

1. This does not include Highways Agency-maintained trunk roads.

2. Highways, Transportaton and Waste Management Performance reports are produced by the Strategic Performance Improvement Group.

3. Roads are surveyed using ‘SCANNR’ equipment (Surface Condition Assessment of the National Network of Roads). All authorities use this survey method as directed by DfT.

4. Surveys are carried out annually on 100 per cent of A roads (one direction) and 50 per cent of B and C roads (one direction). The following year, 100 per cent of the A roads in the opposite direction and the remaining 50 per cent of the B and C grade roads are surveyed. This cycle is repeated every two years.

5. National Performance Indicators reflect government priorities and are used to measure the effectiveness of Local Authorities.

6. 25 per cent of the 1,429 miles of unclassified road network is also surveyed each year. The BVPI (Best Value Performance Indicators) used to measure performance was withdrawn when the new National Indicators were introduced in 2008, however we continue to measure our performance based on the old BVPI. The County Council has been consistent in maintaining a figure of 91 per cent (of unclassified roads in an acceptable condition).