We've launched an engagement exercise on our draft Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan.
Highway infrastructure asset management is recognised as being the most cost efficient means of managing a highway network. Central government has been encouraging this approach for some time and a large element of its funding to local authorities is now linked to taking this approach.
Suffolk County Council has partially used this approach for some time but we are now taking this opportunity to fully implement this way of working, taking on board best practice that has developed over the last 10 years.
Using this approach, our focus will be to prioritise routes that are used more frequently to connect communities and business areas, and to maintain these to the highest possible standard with the resources available. For example, this will mean that we will often treat roads and pavements with a preventative treatment when they appear to be in a reasonable condition to avoid them deteriorating and needing more expensive, and potentially more disruptive works in future.