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Aims of the policy or strategy
The aim of this document is to set out Dorset Council’s policy and strategy and how it manages it highway assets, supporting key Council priorities. It also sets out how Dorset Council plans to invest across all of its highway assets.
Background to the proposal
The Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP) is linked to up to £2million of incentivised Department for Transport funding, and must be reviewed every two years.
It sets out an appraisal of each highway asset and defines what we know about each assets, and what we don’t. It also documents investment scenarios which have been discussed through the Highways and Transport Task and Finish Group.
Finally it documents our investment strategy across each of our highway assets
Intelligence and Communication
Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process
The following list of sources were used
- Dorset Council Plan
- Highways Service Plan
- National Highways and Transportation Public Satisfaction Survey
- APSE benchmarking
- PMF Highways Benchmarking
- asset condition / performance data
This data told us that
The NHT Public satisfaction survey is our link to stakeholder feedback and this routinely tells us that highway safety, condition of roads, and condition of footways is the most important part of the service we provide.
This survey also provides feedback, which this year told us the way we manage drainage and signs has dropped in terms of public satisfaction.
Benchmarking reports show how we are performing in terms of comparison to other highway authorities, and a further study demonstrates how efficient we are performing.
Engagement or consultation that has taken place as part of this EqIA
We have engaged with the following groups of people
Highways and Transport Task and Finish Group
Cabinet Portfolio Holder Highways Travel and Environment
Lead member for Highways
Assessment
Impacts of the policy or strategy
It is believed that this policy review will mostly have a neutral impact on all protected characteristics groups.
The fact that our approach supports key Dorset Council priorities means for example, we are investing in protecting network resilience, which includes links to communities which addresses those in groups such as rural communities or those with caring responsibilities.
Our asset management approach affects everybody, as everyone uses our networks to get to work, school, for business, for recreational purposes, access to or from emergency services (hospitals, police).
2 groups could possibly be impacted
Carers - access to those requiring care could be impacted
Rural Isolation - access to rural communities could be impacted. Our resilient road network includes community link roads.
The HAMP would include reference to links via carriageway, footway, and cycleway to communities including rural areas, and those with caring responsibilities, which may be impacted.
Key to effects or impacts
Positive - the proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups.
Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against
Neutral - no change/ no assessed significant impact of protected characteristic groups
Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against
People who have agreed the EQIA
Name Mike Hansford
Date: 15 November 2021
Equality Lead Rebecca Forrester
Date: 18 November 2021