Economic growth
We aim to support a more productive and prosperous economy by improving the reliability, efficiency and connectivity of our transport networks.
We provide strategic infrastructure improvements and maintenance focussed on our resilient network, to strengthen connections and support regeneration and growth.
Emphasis of our highway asset maintenance approach is in improving asset knowledge, using data to support decisions on key parts of the network, and understand investment requirements.
We will implement a strategy of effecting early life interventions to keep our assets in good condition (which for carriageways is keeping the greens ‘green’).
Using a holistic approach to reduce congestion through efficient management and maintenance of the network, providing alternative sustainable travel options and investing in capacity improvements in key areas.
Unique environment
Our maintenance activities and materials will be sympathetic to the environment, and impact on ecological systems reduced.
We will achieve this through engagement with ecological experts and our Greenspace Team, to ensure we minimise the impacts our works have on natural habitats.
We will engage with heritage colleagues and external bodies to ensure our material choices enhance historic environments within our county.
Climate emergency
We will design, construct and maintain the transport network to reduce the potential impacts of extreme weather events, flooding and rising sea levels arising from climate change.
We will achieve this through focus on our resilient network, and vulnerable assets/areas, using a network resilience toolkit to map resilience risks, which will inform programmes of works for investment.
We will reallocate road space to encourage alternative modes to the car by building and maintaining high quality walking, cycling and bus infrastructure, to encourage active travel.
We will reduce our carbon footprint through exploring low carbon options that include early preventative treatment strategies to prolong asset life, recycling of materials, use of low energy materials, and LED technology, whilst considering options for carbon offsetting.
Suitable housing
We work across Dorset Council as ‘One Team’ to ensure that the planning of new housing, employment and other development gives opportunities to reduce travel and promotes opportunities to travel without reliance on the car.
We will work with partners and stakeholders to contribute to the Local Plan and influence housing and other development proposals.
Strong healthy communities
This starts by reducing the need to travel through sustainable development and providing sustainable travel links through existing urban areas.
This will be achieved by encouraging homes, employment, health and education opportunities to be planned and delivered with measures that promote safe, active travel patterns.
Developing our approach to walking and cycling infrastructure including our hierarchy review, will be critical to supporting this ‘priority’; developing links to communities via our footway, cycleway and rights of way networks.
Staying safe and well
Providing infrastructure to increase the number of people using active travel safely, such as walking and cycling, to support healthy lifestyles.
We aim to reduce all transport related casualties and improve safety for all users of our network by using engineering, education and enforcement solutions to create safer travelling environments.
We will manage risk by development of our risk-based approach to maintenance, including that of our Skid Policy, using data to support decisions, which will ensure we focus investment in high risk areas.
Residual risks will be documented in the Highways and, where appropriate, the corporate risk register, and be reviewed at Quarterly Highways Asset Risk and Programme Board meetings.