The Highways Act 1980 places a duty on us, as the local Highway Authority, to maintain the public highway network in a condition that is safe for users.
The public highway network includes all adopted roads, footpaths and verges. It does not include unadopted or privately owned roads.
In order to keep the highway in a safe condition we regularly inspect our network in accordance with the current Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance.
The frequency of inspections depends upon the importance of the road or footpath in question:
- a busy main road and footpath may be inspected monthly
- a minor estate road or rural lane may only be inspected annually
The New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991 says we must also coordinate and regulate work carried out in the public highway by any organisation.
An organisation includes contractors working for gas, waste, electricity and telecom companies as well as private works on behalf of individuals.