Somerset Highways – Who does what

Somerset Council

Who does what on the Highways?

Please find details of the best forms of contact for highway, traffic-related matters, bridges and structures, streetworks and road safety:

 Highways Maintenance  will deal with reactive (potholes, blocked drains) and programmed work (resurfacing, gully clearing rounds, hedge and verge cutting and winter maintenance). The majority of the reports that the Highways Maintenance Team will respond to are requested via the online portal.

1.  Simple transactional service requests (e.g. potholes) – The hyperlink below takes you to the ‘report it online’ area of the Councils’ website which explains how to report a problem or issue associated with the highway.  This will be suitable for most enquiries and the quickest way to get the issue resolved.

The ‘report a problem on the road’ link takes you to 19 different categories to report online e.g. potholes, overhanging vegetation, flooding, blocked drains and gullies, which should all be reported online as you will receive a faster response as they are directly linked to our Highways Team.  Report a problem on  the  road    (somerset.gov.uk)

2.  For more detailed enquiries – Whilst most issues can be dealt with using the

‘report it online’, there may be other, more complex enquiries from Parish

Councils and the public.

The hyperlink  Roads, travel and parking (somerset.gov.uk)  takes you to eleven sub-menus of different enquiries and information that may help.

3.  If the remaining enquiries cannot be dealt with by any of the above – please use the following email address:

Area Highways Office (North) –  countyroads-sedgemoor@somerset.gov.uk  Area Highways Office (East) –  countyroads-mendip@somerset. gov.uk

Area Highways Office (South) –  countyroads-southsom@somerset.gov.uk

Area Highways Office (West) – countyroads-tdeane@somerset.gov.uk

Highway trees –  highwaytrees@somerset.gov.uk  Rights of way –  rightsofway@somerset.gov.uk  Highway lighting –  highwayslighting@somerset.gov.uk

Highway development control –  highwaysdevelopmentcontrol@somerset.gov.uk

 Traffic  Management  Traffic matters –  trafficmanagement@somerset.gov.uk  The TM team generally align to the Area Highways Office and are responsible for implementing planned changes on the highways network. This could include Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) which could mean a permanent change to the speed limit, yellow line implementation, yellow “no waiting” tick marks, signage and Speed Indicator Devices (SIDS). (There is a very limited budget for TM).

Other schemes could include the implementation of a Pedestrian crossing, traffic calming and restricted access signs.

TM changes do incur fees and charges which are fixed according to the level of consultation required (and usually the size of the town/parish). All TM changes do require a level of consultation, and the team will usually require evidence that some

consultation has taken place before they start the process.

 Bridges  and Structures Bridges and structures –  bridges@somerset.gov.uk  This relates to any structure or bridge on the highway. Exceptions are rail bridges (such as Station Road in Taunton), and or the West Somerset Railway structures. The sea wall at Blue Anchor is a structure that is the responsibility of the Highways Authority because it serves to protect the road along the Esplanade.

The Bridges and Structures Team have an engineering background and they will look to protect the integrity of the road from undercutting and slippage. This work is usually lengthy and costly when required. (Points to note – if there is evidence of trees across the stanchions or blocking the water coming under a bridge it should be reported as a matter of urgency. This will seriously impact the integrity of the structure if left unattended).

 Streetworks (Public Utility i ssues )  –  streetworks@somerset.gov.uk  or use this link to  One Network  for roadworks information.

 Roads, travel and parking

The Streetworks team have responsibility for overseeing all the work that takes place on the highway by the utilities and cable companies. Contractors have to apply for a licence to undertake this work, and it can only be done once all the relevant permissions have been put in place.

If a contractor does not apply for a licence, then a minimum fine of £2,000 can be imposed. Somerset Council has historically issued fines far in excess of this!

Emergency work may fall under different legislation, but in the majority of cases, permission must be obtained from the Highways Authority before work can start.

The usual contractors in Somerset would include Openreach, Wessex Water, South

West Water, British Gas, EDF and cable companies. The contractor has an

obligation to return the Highway to the required standard on completion of the works. The road should be inspected and the contractor has to guarantee it for an 18 month minimum period. In the event that the trench surface fails, they should return and remedy the deficiencies.

(It is really helpful if parishes can keep an eye on the work and report any defects as soon as possible). If the 18 month guarantee lapses, then the cost will fall back on the general revenue budget at cost to the Council Taxpayer.

 Road  Safety

One team that serves the whole of Somerset. They can provide data and statistics on each LCN area. Their emphasis is on education and training and they work closely with the Avon and Somerset Police road safety team to implement this. They undertake a lot of traffic monitoring and may be useful to those parishes who are considering implementing SIDs. (No budget themselves for providing road safety equipment).