HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Agenda Item No.
HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORT CABINET PANEL
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010 AT 10.00 AM
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INTEGRATED PLANNING PROCESS – EFFICIENCY PROJECT - GRASS CUTTING
ON SELECTED HIGH SPEED ROADS
Report of the Director of Environment and Commercial Services
Author: Peter Simpson
Tel: 01707-356331
Executive Member: Stuart Pile (Highways and Transport)
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Purpose of report
1.1
To seek the Panel’s endorsement of the Grass Cutting efficiency project, as
part of the integrated planning process, and change from a Performance
based to a Frequency based specification, to enable the recommended
changes to be implemented by 1st April 2010.
2
Summary
2.1
Recommendations are presented here for:
(i)
The method for achieving £53K per year of efficiencies to reduce
operational costs through being more planned and programmed, and
gain better value for money.
(ii)
A change in service level by operating to a frequency-based
specification as opposed to a performance-based specification for grass
cutting on selected High Speed Roads.
3
Recommendations
3.1
The Panel is requested to consider and endorse:
(i)
The change in service level regarding grass cutting on selected High
Speed Roads, and
(ii)
The implementation of the proposal.
4
Background
4.1
The principle, concept and outline of the grass cutting proposal has been
developed as part of Hertfordshire Highways efficiency programme and in
consultation with the Executive Member.
S/PS/SMT/REPORTS/H&T/Grass Cutting – High Speed Roads/H&T Report 21.12.09
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4.2
Grass cutting is undertaken by Hertfordshire Highways as part of its cyclical,
routine maintenance and paid for under the contract as a lump sum activity.
The work is currently undertaken in accordance with a performance-based
specification as detailed below.
Location
Urban Roads
Rural Roads
Visibility
Splays
Current Performance Based Specification
Maximum Height Before Cut
Minimum Height After Cut
150mm
25mm – 50mm
250mm
50mm – 100mm
250mm
50mm – 100mm
A total of 12.75 Million square metres of highway grass is cut, 3.75 Million
square metres of which is cut by Hertfordshire Highways, and 9 Million square
metres is cut by the Districts. Of the 3.75 Million square metres, 1 Million
square metres is in urban areas, 2 Million square metres is in rural areas, and
0.75 Million square metres is on High Speed Roads.
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Detail
5.1
The proposal entails moderating the service level for grass cutting on selected
high speed roads. This is seen as a positive move towards a more natural
regime, better aligned with the minimum recommended national guidelines and
delivering a service based on affordability, sustainability, opportunity and
managed risk, ultimately providing better value or money.
5.2
A risk evaluation exercise was undertaken on all high speed roads. Only those
high speed roads (as shown section 8 and on a plan that will be on display at
the meeting) were selected as appropriate to ensure the safety of highway
users and maintainability of highway assets is not compromised.
5.3
The specification for forward visibility (junctions, accesses, bends, sight lines,
minimum stopping distances, signs and hazard marker posts), footways and
French drains will remain unchanged for reasons of safety, and access for
maintenance.
5.4
In practice, by operating to frequency-based specification as opposed to a
performance-based specification, this means reducing the number of cuts
during the grass cutting season (typically from early Spring to early Autumn)
from approximately 3 to 6 cuts per year to 2 cuts per year.
5.5
Efficiency savings will be derived from a reduction in the occupation of the high
speed roads and associated traffic management. The efficiency saving for the
reduction in grass cutting itself is considered insignificant since the level of
resources required to deliver the frequency-based specification is similar to a
performance-based specification.
5.6
The performance-based specification detailed in the nine agency
arrangements covering environmental management (grass cutting, and in
some cases includes tree management) will remain unchanged through this
proposal since the grass cutting is predominantly in urban areas with minimal
associated traffic management.
S/PS/SMT/REPORTS/H&T/Grass Cutting – High Speed Roads/H&T Report 21.12.09
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5.7
From an operational perspective, payment would be made by a reduced rate
under the Lump Sum works. Auditing/monitoring would continue and be
incorporated into existing Contract Review Reports. Subject to the advance
monitoring of the rate of growth of the grass, Hertfordshire Highways Service
Management Team and Works Team will agree on the timing of the cuts and
programming, allowing a degree of flexibility should the need arise to increase
the number of cuts (e.g. exceptional growing conditions).
5.8
Managing public expectations and raising awareness is essential and
communicating the County Council’s levels of service will be undertaken
through the Herts Direct website and Customer Service Centre. The matter will
also be reported to the Highway Joint Member Panels in April 2010.
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Opportunities and Benefits
6.1
Primary - £53K per year cashable saving due to a reduction in traffic
management.
6.2
Secondary (i)
Better use of the highway network and greater opportunity to coordinate and integrate other works through route optimisation, forward
planning and programming, not only for Hertfordshire Highways (e.g.
gully cleansing, street lighting, safety barriers, Cat 2 routine scheduled
maintenance) but also for other organisations such as
Districts/Boroughs (e.g. litter picking and channel sweeping) and
statutory utility companies.
A reduced number of cuts means:
(ii)
Reduced occupation of the high speed roads and disruption to the
travelling public,
(iii)
Contributes to carbon reduction agenda,
(iv)
Enhanced visual amenity by allowing self-seeding of wild flowers.
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Risks, Mitigations, and Organisational Issues
7.1
Risks
Low - Relatively straightforward to implement, visibility splays, footways and
French drains to be maintained. Service level aligns with national guidelines.
7.2
Mitigations
Low - Risk evaluation undertaken to ensure safety of highway users and
maintainability of highway assets is not compromised.
7.3
Organisational Issues
Low - Minimal Impact, but requires change to service levels and associated
auditing regime.
S/PS/SMT/REPORTS/H&T/Grass Cutting – High Speed Roads/H&T Report 21.12.09
3
8
Financial Implications
8.1
The following is a summary of the proposed efficiency savings:
High Speed Roads
Section
District
A41 (M25 to Tring)
A505 (Royston bypass)
Dacorum
North Herts
Broxbourne /
East Herts
North Herts
Watford /
Three Rivers
St Albans
St Albans
Welwyn &
Hatfield
East Herts
East Herts
A10 (Tesco to Wadesmill)
A505 (Hitchin to Luton)
A405 (M25 to M10)
A414 (M10 to A1081)
A414 (A1081 to A1(M))
A414 (A1(M) to Cole Green)
A414 (Cole Green to A10)
A414 (A10 to Harlow)
Proposed
freq.
Cut
saving
Estimated
saving
2
2
1
1
£14,282.67
£1,109.33
2
2
2
1
£13,000.00
£2,218.67
2
2
2
4
4
4
£6,101.33
£10,816.00
£5,685.33
2
2
2
3
3
3
£46.80
£92.40
£92.40
£53,444.93
Background Papers
Well-maintained Highways - Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance
Management, July 2005, UK Roads Board
S/PS/SMT/REPORTS/H&T/Grass Cutting – High Speed Roads/H&T Report 21.12.09
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