The current procedure for all inspections of the highway network in Southend is based on the Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance Management - July 2005 (“Well-Maintained Highways”). Please see the Code of Practice for further details.
Where urgent safety defects are reported or found, repairs are undertaken. Repairs are scheduled within 2 hours or up to 7 days depending on the severity and arrangement of appropriate traffic management. Permanent repairs are undertaken, but there will be times when a temporary repair is completed to make safe a location while a permanent repair is being scheduled. This is only undertaken in exceptional circumstances when a permanent reinstatement cannot be undertaken safely.
Street inspections
All roads, pavements, cycle ways and footpaths are classified as defined by the Code of Practice which determines inspection frequency and are inspected at least once a year. Depending on the classification the inspection regime is monthly, quarterly and yearly. Busy areas such as the High Street and main roads are inspected monthly, whereas quieter residential areas will be inspected yearly.
Repairs
Damage or a defect has to be assessed and determined whether it meets the criteria for an immediate repair. As a general rule, damage or a defect creating a sharp lift or sink to the surface of 20mm or more on a pavement and cycleway and 40mm or more on a road will be assessed to see it the concern meets a Category 1 defect. If so it will be repaired. Any other defects that do not meet the Category 1 repair criteria will be repaired during highway routine general maintenance and are considered and prioritised for inclusion in future years resurfacing or pavement renewal programme where appropriate.
Weather has an impact on potholes forming especially in winter months where wet and cold weather can see large potholes forming within hours.
Damage is also caused when vehicles mount grass verges or pavements which are not constructed to take the weight of vehicles. Irresponsible delivery or placement of skips, building materials, construction at developments, etc can also leave areas damaged.
The Council is committed to target funding on permanently fixing potholes on the roads or by stopping them forming in the first place.
Utility companies
Utility companies such as the gas and water suppliers often can be seen working to install their services. Sometimes utility boxes or manhole covers become broken and need to be repaired. These are the responsibility of the utility companies to repair. Where a utility company digs up the road or footway, they are also responsible for repairing it properly afterwards.
To see where a Utility Company is working and length of programmed works etc can be found on roadworks.org website.
Better Southend
If you have a query in relation to any of the following road projects:
- A127 The Bell Junction Improvements
- A127 Kent Elms Corner
- City Beach
- Victoria Gateway
- Cuckoo Corner/ Priory Crescent
- A127 Progress Road Junction
Please contact us by emailing council@southend.gov.uk. In July 2024, we moved to a new system for the digital forms hosted on our website. Whilst a form previously existed for this service, it is not currently available. We will be regularly implementing new forms so please check back regularly for updated information.