Julie Barnes, Lead Commissioner (Transport and Technology) and Shaun Brady, Highways Asset Manager, introduced a report which provided an explanation into the current condition of Wirral’s roads, how the information was captured, and how it was reported to the Department for Transport (DfT).

The maintenance of highways was a statutory duty for the Council under the Highways Act 1980 (as amended). Maintenance and improvement of highways contributed to the Wirral Plan pledge to provide transport and technology infrastructure fit for the future, and was key to delivery of the Connecting Wirral Transport Strategy.

Responding to comments from Members Shaun Brady stated that although he was not involved on a day to day basis with BAM Nuttall, the Council’s contractor for the repair of roads, he was aware of a list of sites where work on repairs and maintenance was due to commence and he would be happy to share this list of remedial works with Members. He also referred to independent data which showed that 6 per cent of Wirral’s unclassified roads were in need of immediate maintenance compared to 20 per cent in Liverpool.

Members referred to a number of sites within their wards where the quality of work had not been to a satisfactory standard and where repairs were now required. They also expressed surprise if there weren’t quality checks prior to a job being signed off.

The Chair referred to an ever diminishing pot of money which the authority had to maintain the Council’s roads in good order. More roads were being built and there were now more cars on the roads.

Resolved – That the report be noted.