The Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the draft Traffic and Network Management Plan, review changes to the committee's work programme, and consider various operational matters. Key discussions included strategies for managing Staffordshire's highways network, addressing road user disruption, and improving winter maintenance, alongside updates on environmental and infrastructure strategies.

Traffic and Network Management Plan

Councillor Peter Mason, Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, presented the draft Traffic and Network Management Plan, which aims to fulfil the council's statutory duties in managing Staffordshire's highways network. The plan outlines objectives to keep people and goods moving efficiently, reduce congestion, improve journey reliability, ensure safety, minimise disruption and environmental impacts, and enhance resident information. Councillor Mason highlighted recent government changes to street works legislation, including doubled fixed penalty fines and adjusted notice periods, which were welcomed but deemed insufficient, with the council continuing to campaign for greater powers.

Concerns were raised by Councillor Simon Tagg, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Strategic Highways, regarding the perceived knock-on effects of a 12-week pause on new works in certain areas during the summer, suggesting it may have caused delays to the highway repair programme and surface dressing. Councillor Mason clarified that this was not a complete pause but a targeted measure to alleviate extreme disruption in specific areas, and that works continued on the programme, with some being rescheduled. He emphasised the ongoing challenge of balancing essential roadworks with maintaining a functional network.

Councillor Tagg also questioned the impact of the pause on the highway structural programme and the surface dressing programme, expressing concern about potential delays. David Walters, from the council's highways department, explained that the programme does change due to various factors, including utility works, and that while some issues had arisen, preventative carriageway maintenance programmes were still being delivered. He noted that specific schemes might be paused or rescheduled for various reasons, including new developments or unforeseen issues like drainage problems.

Councillor Gary Bentley raised a point about the need for better coordination with utility firms to minimise disruption, suggesting that basic works could be carried out concurrently with utility operations. Councillor Mason acknowledged this, stating that the whole roads approach aims to coordinate asset types and work more closely with utilities. He also mentioned that legislation grants utilities a right of access, which can sometimes lead to unforeseen disruptions.

Councillor Thomas Baker inquired about bridge inspections, particularly in light of an incident on the Cannock Road bridge. It was explained that there is a mix of bridge ownership, with the Canal and River Trust responsible for some, and that the council has a robust inspection regime for its own structures, with varying intervals for visual and principal inspections.

Councillor Tagg also raised concerns about on-street parking enforcement and the division of responsibilities between the county council and the police, particularly regarding obstructions where there are no waiting restrictions. Councillor Mason confirmed that pavement parking and obstruction issues outside of designated waiting areas are the responsibility of the police, and that the council is working closely with them and reviewing potential future enforcement powers for pavement parking.

Councillor Sean Bagguley suggested that local councils could encourage district councils to relieve parking charges near schools to reduce parking on yellow lines. Councillor Peter Mason noted that this had worked in Cheadle and could be a strategy to consider.

Regarding the whole roads approach, Councillor Bagguley asked about dedicated reactive teams to handle emergencies without diverting planned work teams. Councillor Mason confirmed that dedicated reactive teams are part of the roadmap, aiming to empower local depots and minimise disruption to planned works.

Councillor Bagguley also inquired about drainage, suggesting dedicated drainage teams to identify and fix problems proactively. The council is reviewing its drainage operational model to make it more locally focused and risk-based, moving away from rigid cyclic arrangements.

Councillor Darryl Eyers raised concerns about HGV restrictions, diversions through restricted areas, and HGVs ignoring weight limits on bridges. It was explained that the county freight strategy aims to keep HGVs on A and B roads, and that diversion routes are assessed for suitability. The challenge of sat-nav usage and the need for potential collaboration with mapping providers were discussed. Enforcement powers for moving traffic violations are being explored.

Councillor Paul Jones asked about how resident feedback and complaints about traffic disruption would be used, how coordination and timing of works would ensure communities are not repeatedly disrupted, and how the needs of local businesses, bus users, emergency services, and vulnerable road users would be prioritised. Councillor Mason explained that resident feedback is valuable and can be reported via the Staffordshire app. He detailed the extensive background coordination efforts to minimise disruption and confirmed that public transport, vulnerable users, and emergency services are considered in planning and coordination.

Councillor Simon Tagg raised concerns about the council's response to adverse weather, specifically the snow event in early January. He noted a perceived difference in the quality of gritting between the city of Stoke and the county. Councillor Mason stated that all primary and secondary routes were gritted around the clock, but acknowledged that low temperatures and lack of traffic activation affected the grit's effectiveness. He confirmed that the gritting plan would undergo a thorough review to identify lessons learned and potential improvements.

Councillor Tagg also questioned how a proposed £30,000 cut to the grit bin budget would align with plans to reassess and potentially improve the grit bin provision. Councillor Mason explained that the saving would come from increased efficiency in refilling only necessary bins, and that this was part of balancing the budget to address a backlog of defects.

Councillor Su Beardmore highlighted a need for improved proactive communication regarding road closures, citing an example at Salah Head where residents and bus services were unclear about diversions. Councillor Mason acknowledged the need for better proactive communication and confirmed that a press release regarding Salah Head had been signed off. He also noted that bus companies are responsible for communicating route changes to their passengers.

Councillor Gary Bentley requested that local councils be kept informed about grit bin reviews and suggested a contingency plan for moving bins, as well as a community feedback system for reporting bin needs. He also mentioned the potential impact of red weather warnings on resource usage.

Work Programme

Jacob, from the committee's support staff, provided an update on the committee's work programme, detailing several changes to scheduled items. The BBV contractor will attend on 11 February to discuss impacts on the A38. The Economic Strategy and Renewable Energy Policy Position are scheduled for 26 March. The Environmental Action Plan has moved to 11 February, and the Flood Risk Management Strategy will be an annual update on 16 April. The Local Nature Recovery Strategy has been moved to future scrutiny, and the Natural Environment Strategy and Biodiversity Report will be an annual update in the next municipal year. The Staffordshire County Farms Policy Statement is scheduled for 16 April, and the Tourism and Visitor Economy has moved to 16 April. The Waste Infrastructure Plan has been moved to future scrutiny, and the Zero by Nature Strategy has been removed.

Councillor Adam Griffiths expressed his view that the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and other environmental items should be considered together due to their interconnectedness, and highlighted the statutory obligation for the council to cover the strategy for the whole county and city.

Councillor Paul Jones proposed an additional recommendation for future work programme updates, requesting that they clearly demonstrate how scrutiny items are prioritised by their impact on residents, particularly concerning highways disruption, flood risk, infrastructure delivery, and economic resilience. He also requested a year-round summary outlining how scrutiny activity has influenced service improvements, policy development, or cabinet decision-making.