Question
In respect of the resurfacing of the A33 bypass near the village of Riseley, please can you explain the criteria used in the decision making process. I am interested to understand if the decision was purely financial and if the increased environmental noise pollution, impact on health, wellbeing and enjoyment of local residents or the potential devaluation of property (and subsequent negative equity position for newer residents) were included in the process or completely overlooked?
Minutes:
Question
In respect of the resurfacing of the A33 bypass near the village of Riseley, please can you explain the criteria used in the decision making process. I am interested to understand if the decision was purely financial and if the increased environmental noise pollution, impact on health, wellbeing and enjoyment of local residents or the potential devaluation of property (and subsequent negative equity position for newer residents) were included in the process or completely overlooked?
Answer
The Council manages the Wokingham highways network in accordance with UK Pavement Management System recommendations. This is recognised by central Government and the wider industry through its code of practice as a national standard for well maintained and well managed highway infrastructure. It is this system that establishes through technical survey data what parts of the network are prioritised for maintenance and what kind of resurfacing treatment are appropriate for each location.
Like most other highways authorities Wokingham Borough Council makes use of materials such as micro-asphalt and surface dressing to extend the lifespan of the road network before it requires a more expensive full resurfacing treatment. The full life expectancy of the new plane and inlay HRA road of up to 20 years is usually only achieved through the application of a surface dressing or micro asphalt treatment after 8 to 10 years. So it is quite normal practice to do that. All these materials are of course approved by the Highways Authority Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS) which was developed by market experts to offer consistent and clear testing methods for products and systems designed for use in the highways industry.
In addition both micro-asphalt and surface dressing treatments benefit from having a low carbon footprint and are quick to apply, which means less disruption to road users, residents, local businesses and the emergency services.
Lockchip, which was used on the recent resurfacing works on the A33, is a type of surface dressing and differs from conventional surface dressing in that a further layer of bituminous emulsion, which is very difficult to say, is sprayed over the top of the loose stone. As a consequence lockchip generally has a smoother surface with less loose material and looks more like new tarmac. Whilst these kinds of treatment do not last as long as full resurfacing treatment, such as a plane and inlay HRA scheme, they are a very cost effective and important component in the maintenance of the Wokingham highways network. It is worth noting that a full plane and inlay HRA scheme on the recently resurfaced section of the A33 would have cost £1.3million as opposed to the £200k for lockchip.
That said the Council has commissioned WSP, as I have said before, to investigate the noise levels along the A33 and look into what measures might be required to effectively mitigate the impact on local residents. The final report is expected, as I said in September, which will allow the Council to take a decision on the way forward in October.
So the answer is what we are doing is quite standard but we will look at the impact on local residents and take the appropriate action.
Supplementary Question
Could you please explain what change in policy has occurred since the resurfacing of phases 1 and 2 of the A33 in a much smoother and almost quiet material that was used by your department a few years’ ago? Could you answer using a like for like comparable please?
Supplementary Answer
I am afraid I am going to have to give you a written answer to that because the previous resurfacing was before my time as Highways Executive and I do not know why they used what they did then versus what they do now but I will certainly get you a written answer.