Synopsis

This Plan sets out the strategy, standards, and policy for maintenance of the highway network.

Bath and North East Somerset Council is the Highway Authority for all the public highways (and the Public Rights of Way) in the Council area, except for those highways designated as Trunk Roads. The Council is responsible for the maintenance of some 1075km of highways within its boundaries and these include the carriageways, footways, verges, signs and other aids to movement.

It is the duty of all Highway Authorities to reasonably maintain and repair the highway, and to keep the surface of the road free from that which might otherwise obstruct it (RIDER V RIDER Court of appeal 1973).

In England and Wales the principle of maintaining roads according to their functional importance is given legal sanction by Section 58 of the Highways Act 1980.

This provides that, in the event of action against a highway authority for failure to maintain, it shall be a defence to show that the road was kept in reasonable repair having regard to the traffic using it, the standard of maintenance appropriate to its use, and public safety.

For further information on Highways Maintenance visit our web pages.