Footways and Carriageways

Highway Inspections

Regular inspections are carried out by highway supervisors on footways and carriageways every 5 weeks in shopping areas and every 15 weeks on all other roads. They will be primarily safety inspections to identify such faults as trips, hazards and obstructions.

In addition, ad hoc inspections of the highway are carried out when alerted to a potential problem from members of the public, Councillors, etc.

Skidding Resistance Surveys

Skidding resistance will be measured by SCRIM (sideways force coefficient routine investigation machine) surveys carried out in accordance with HD 28/94, Skidding Resistance, of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Surveys will be carried out every three years on Class A and B roads in both directions. Surveys will normally be carried out by external contractor.

Reactive Maintenance

Reactive maintenance is principally related to remedying unsafe situations as they arise.

Dangerous situations, such as potholes greater than 40mm deep in carriageways and greater than 20mm deep in footways and cycleways are repaired within 24 hours.

Small Scale Works

These are essentially small improvements to carriageways, footways, drainage systems, fences, etc.

Landscaped Areas and Trees

Outside 40 mph limits rural grass is cut for a distance of 1m from the edge of highway twice a year commencing in May. Grass is cut to an approximate height of 75mm. Hand removal of grass from around ironwork, etc. is also carried out.

Strimming takes place at pre- determined and pre-measured rural locations based on safety issues i.e. visibility at junctions and areas where tractor grass cutting is impractical. Grass is strimmed to an approximate height of 75mm.There are four monthly programmes commencing in May.

All urban grass cutting (inside 40mph limits) and upkeep of certain main accesses into Wrexham, such as A541 Mold Road Gateway, is carried out by the Community Services Department.

Highways Maintenance Division of the Transportation and Engineering Department carries out weed control to highways verges outside 40mph limits. All other weed control is carried out by the Community Services Department.

Vegetation obstructing street lighting and traffic signs is cut back.

Drainage

All gullies (Approx 30,000) are cleaned once per year and those in known flooding sites cleaned twice a year.

Areas requiring further attention are noted and included on a jetting programme.

Schedules are produced detailing gully emptying by month and Community.

Manhole covers, gully frames and other ironwork are reset if considered to be too high or too low.

Resurfacing and Reconstruction

Annual programmes are produced for works such as resurfacing roads, resurfacing/reconstructing footways and drainage improvements.