Highway adoption policy

The council will consider the following policy when assessing the quality and suitability of new roads that are submitted for adoption. 

Implementing policy 5

The council will adopt new roads that:

• directly link to an existing adopted street (proposed Section 38 agreements will be reviewed if they connect to an existing road that is subject to a Section 38 agreement)
• directly serve/front a minimum of 6 residential dwellings
• serve employment and commercial sites with more than one building or a single commercial building with multiple occupancy employment
• accord with local and national policy, guidance and standards relating to environmental sustainability of new highway proposals.  The Local Highway Authority may consult with planning, forestry and environment services at the council during the assessment of proposals.
• meet the requirements of the council’s Materials Palettes document, Specification for Highway Works and Standard Drawings. Proposals for the use of alternative materials to those within the Materials Palettes must be agreed with the council.
• have been demonstrably designed and constructed to an adoptable standard, as defined in the LHDG
• are not linked by through private roads
• have associated legal agreements signed by all relevant parties; and
• are acceptable in all other highways and transportation respects in accordance with LHDG, other the council policies and national planning policy and guidance.

Green infrastructure

Trees and other green infrastructure provide a valuable service to communities, creating attractive places that benefit biodiversity, help mitigate and adapt to climate change and encourage participation in active travel. NPPF states that “Planning policies and decisions should ensure that new streets are tree-lined”. Developers and local planning authorities should work with highways officers and tree officers at the council to ensure that the right trees are planted in the right places, and solutions are found that are compatible with highways standards and the needs of different users.

The council promotes the use of its Value of Trees toolkit to ensure the good design and implementation of tree planting within highway.

Legislation has strengthened the duty on local authorities to not only protect but enhance the natural environment through the planning process (including biodiversity net gain). Developers are strongly encouraged to consider how highway can help deliver environmental benefits through design layouts, the choice of materials and construction methodology.

Environmentally sustainable materials

The use of environmentally sustainable materials is strongly encouraged, where it meets LHDG policy requirements. The materials included in the council’s Materials Palettes have been selected using criteria relating to their sustainability and performance. Where new or innovative materials are proposed, evidence must be provided by the developer that these same criteria are met.

Asset management and maintenance

In accordance with the National Design Guide, consideration should be given to the character of a location during the design process and selection of materials. The Materials Palettes document has been developed to assist with this process and includes guidance on how new or innovative materials can be approved for use by the council within new highway to be adopted.

Designers should refer to asset management best practice during scheme development including the council policy and strategy and must:

• Contribute to high-quality developments that can be efficiently maintained using cost effective practices. Whole-life costs should be considered when materials and methods of construction are considered.
• Encourage development layouts to be built to an adoptable standard wherever possible to safeguard the interests of future residents.
  Where appropriate, the council will seek payment from the developer for future maintenance of new adopted highway by acquiring monies through Commuted Sums. Commuted Sums allow greater flexibility to adopt non-standard materials and other items when development increases future maintenance liability.