The Growth, Highways and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Leicestershire Council met on Thursday 3 September 2026 to discuss network management, road and street works, and performance updates. Key discussions included the management of temporary works on highways, the effectiveness of the permit scheme, and performance indicators related to bus services, road safety, and active travel.

Network Management – Road and Street Works - Annual Update

The committee received an annual update on network management, road, and street works. This report detailed the significant volume of temporary works undertaken on Leicestershire's highways, managed through a permit scheme introduced in 2018. In the calendar year 2025, an average of 77 activities started daily, with over 70,000 days worked on the highway. The report highlighted the challenges of coordinating these works, particularly with utility companies like Severn Trent Water, and the impact of increasing demand on the network.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the issue of temporary traffic management equipment, such as signs and cones, being left on the highway after works were completed. The council has implemented a clearer process for addressing these reports, involving inspection, referral to the responsible party, or direct removal by council teams. Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) can be issued for breaches of permit conditions, with charges ranging from £160 to £1,000 depending on the offence. The report indicated that the number of works exceeding their agreed duration was reducing, accounting for less than 10% of all works.

The committee also discussed Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs), which are legal mechanisms used to manage traffic safely during roadworks, events, or emergencies. In 2025/26, 2,891 TTROs were issued, with a significant proportion being for planned works. The report noted that while TTROs can cause inconvenience, they are essential for safety and minimising disruption.

Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of current penalties for utility companies, with councillors suggesting that fines were not a sufficient deterrent. The council acknowledged these concerns and indicated a willingness to explore ways to up the ante on companies like Severn Trent Water. The possibility of adding this issue to the agenda for lead member meetings was also raised.

Growth, Highways & Transport Performance Report to June 2026

The committee received a performance update for Growth, Highways and Transport services up to June 2026. This report incorporated new Local Outcomes Framework (LOF) indicators from the government, focusing on transport and local infrastructure.

Bus Passenger Journeys: The number of local bus passenger journeys originating in Leicestershire was 9.85 million in Q3 2025/26, falling short of the 10 million target. The report noted that this indicator, along with others related to bus passenger journeys per head of population and the percentage of journeys by concessionary pass holders, placed Leicestershire in the third or fourth quartile when compared to other English local authorities. However, the percentage change in bus service mileage showed a positive increase of 2.1%, placing it in the second quartile. It was clarified that these figures do not include Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT) services like Fox Connect, which have seen significant usage.

Road Safety: Leicestershire was highlighted as a high-performing authority in road safety, with four out of five indicators in the top quartile. However, there was a concern regarding the number of Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) casualties, which had increased slightly. The report detailed provisional casualty data, noting that while total casualties had decreased, KSI figures for vulnerable road users and overall KSI had risen. A new indicator, KSI road casualties per billion vehicle miles, showed an increase but remained in the top quartile for performance. The committee heard about ongoing road safety initiatives, including targeted interventions and education programmes.

Active Travel: A new LOF indicator revealed that 29% of adults in Leicestershire engaged in active travel at least twice in the last 28 days, placing the county in the third quartile. The council's efforts to promote active travel, such as the Bike Bank scheme and school-based initiatives, were highlighted.

Emissions: The transport sector's carbon emissions within the local authority's influence remained stable at 1,152.5 Kt in 2024. While the council has limited direct control over these figures, ongoing initiatives aim to improve outcomes. This indicator remained in the second quartile compared to other authorities.

The committee was asked to note and comment on the performance data presented.

Local Transport Delivery Plan - Overview

The committee was presented with an overview of the Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP), which outlines how the council will prioritise and spend consolidated local transport funding. The plan aligns with the council's Local Transport Plan (LTP4) and the Department for Transport's (DfT) requirements. The report detailed the development process, resource implications, and the timetable for decisions, including the submission of the final LTDP to the DfT by 31 October 2026. The committee's comments would be considered by the Cabinet.

The LTDP encompasses a significant capital programme budget of £326 million over four years, funded through various grants, capital receipts, and contributions. The report also touched upon equality, human rights, health, environmental, and partnership implications, noting that equality impact assessments would be undertaken for individual projects.

The committee was informed about a forthcoming members' engagement event on 8 September to demonstrate an emerging schemes database, providing greater visibility of proposed programmes and schemes.

The meeting concluded with the committee being asked to note and comment on the LTDP overview.