DEVELOPERS are being asked for their say on how a new system of charges for maintaining specialist highway features should work in Worcestershire.
Worcestershire County Council has launched a consultation with developers, highway designers and technical specialists as it draws up the details of its new “commuted sums” policy.
CABINET: Highways chief Tom Wells said the move would protect the council’s highways maintenance budget (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones/LDRS)
The move follows the council’s cabinet decision in October to introduce the policy, subject to consultation.
Under the plans, developers would make one-off payments towards the future maintenance of non-standard highway features which are eventually adopted by the council.
They could include bespoke paving, specialist street lighting, trees, landscaped areas and other enhanced features.
The cabinet decision established that the sums would generally cover maintenance for 60 years, with different periods for specific assets such as bridges.
The consultation is focused on how the policy will operate in practice.
The council wants feedback on the methodology and assumptions behind the charges as well as how they would fit alongside the existing process for developments and highway adoption.
It says the intention is to allow developers to use specialist materials and landscaping without leaving the authority with unfunded maintenance costs when those features become its responsibility.
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The policy would apply through Section 278 and Section 38 agreements, which are used where developers carry out works to existing highways or construct roads which are subsequently adopted.
When councillors approved progressing the policy in October, highways chief Tom Wells said it would “protect the highways maintenance budget” and “protect taxpayers”.
He told the meeting Worcestershire would follow national guidance when setting charges and said other authorities, including Leicestershire, already operated similar arrangements.
Developers, consultants and technical advisers are now being invited to review Worcestershire’s draft policy and complete an online survey.
The consultation closes at midnight on Friday, December 18.
