Local highways maintenance transparency report

Introduction

The Department for Transport (DfT) expects all local highways authorities to publish information about their highways maintenance activities. This helps local taxpayers see the difference that funding is making in their areas.

Our highway network

A corner stone of asset management is knowing:

• what you have
• where it is
• what condition it is in

We manage one of the largest local highway networks in England. This comprises a total of 5,544 miles (8,922 km) of roads.

All maintenance of the trunk road network is the responsibility of National Highways. As such the information contained within this report does not include maintenance, condition or inspection of those assets. This trunk road network includes:

• the A1
• A52 west of Grantham
• A46 County Boundary to Carholme Road Roundabout, Lincoln

The overall breakdown of road length by classification is shown below.

Lengths of highway, footways and cycleways 

The currently recorded total length of cycleways is likely an underrepresentation. We are actively addressing this through the next phase of asset data capture, which will provide a more comprehensive and accurate reflection of the existing infrastructure.

We also manage a wide range of supporting infrastructure:

• 1,657 bridges (including footbridges)
• 2,206 culverts (greater than 0.6 metre diameter)
• 148 retaining walls, 14 subways, and 10 gantries
• 67,793 lighting columns, 10,241 illuminated signs, posts and bollards, and 851 feeder pillars
• 303 vehicle activated signs and 276 zebra crossings
• 156 signalised junctions, 133 signalised pedestrian crossings, and 46 pedestrian and cycle crossings
• 104 CCTV cameras and 1 tidal flow system
• 148,292 gullies, 28,855 offlets, and 13,163 chambers for drainage
• 207,743 metres of vehicle safety fencing
• 87,131 non-illuminated signs and bollards
• 8,130 highway-owned trees and 2,170 LCC-owned trees (over 30cm diameter)
• 1,995 bus stops

For further information on our assets and how we manage them please refer to our:

• highways infrastructure asset management strategy
• highways infrastructure asset management plan

Highways maintenance spending figures

Additional information on spending

Our long-term strategy prioritises a shift from reactive, short-term fixes to a more sustainable and cost-effective preventative maintenance approach. This transition:

• enhances network resilience
• improves safety
• delivers better value for money over the asset lifecycle

Planned preventative maintenance schemes

Preventative maintenance activities include:

• surface dressing
• micro-surfacing
• patching in advance of surface dressing
• footway slurry sealing
• carriageway rejuvenation

Further information on road maintenance and preventative maintenance activities.

In 2024 to 2025, we delivered:

• 240 carriageway resurfacing schemes, covering 116.06 miles (186.8 km)
• 231 surface dressing schemes, covering 174 miles (280 km)
• 267 footway micro-surfacing schemes
• 34 footway reconstruction schemes
• 31 structures maintained, including bridges and retaining walls

Reactive maintenance

Reactive maintenance primarily addresses urgent issues such as:

• potholes
• signage
• lighting faults

Approximately 85% of reactive spend is allocated to pothole repairs. 

Estimate of number of potholes filled

In 2024 to 2025, we also completed 1,189 signage repairs, with a projected 1,210 for 2025 to 2026.

Determining the maintenance split

The split between preventative and reactive maintenance is determined through a data-driven approach using:

• our CONFIRM asset management system
• Coarse Visual Inspections (CVI)
• SCANNER (surface condition assessment for the national network of roads) surveys
• the Lincolnshire Condition Indicator (LCI)

This enables us to prioritise schemes based on asset condition, risk, and long-term value.

We are actively working to increase the proportion of spend on preventative maintenance. This includes:

• refining our lifecycle planning
• investing in early intervention treatments
• expanding our use of AI and digital tools to better predict and prevent asset deterioration

Condition of local roads

To support our data-driven approach to highway maintenance, we conduct:

• Coarse Visual Inspections (CVI)
• regular safety and condition assessments

We also incorporate data from public enquiries and pothole reports. This ensures that priorities are based on real-world evidence.

We have integrated AI technology to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of our assessments. Additionally, the Lincolnshire Condition Indicator (LCI) consolidates data on claims, potholes, and public enquiries per kilometre to inform decision-making.

Road condition assessments on England’s classified road network currently use SCANNER. This is a laser-based system categorising roads into three condition bands:

• green - no further investigation or treatment required
• amber - maintenance may be required soon
• red - should be considered for maintenance

Lower percentages in the red and amber categories indicate better road conditions. Higher green percentages reflect a well-maintained network.

From April 2026, a new methodology will be introduced based on the BSI PAS 2161 standard. All local highway authorities will be required to use suppliers accredited to this standard. The new approach will expand the condition categories from three to five. This enables a more detailed and nuanced understanding of road condition across England.

Percentage of A roads in each condition category

Plans

Overall strategy

We are committed to a long-term, strategic approach to managing Lincolnshire’s highway infrastructure. Our asset management practices are aligned with national guidance, including the Well-managed Highway Infrastructure: A Code of Practice (UK Roads Liaison Group, 2016). This ensures our work reflects the latest industry standards and best practices.

Our asset management strategy 2022 to 2025 sets out our intention to:

• maintain a steady state across all highway asset groups
• gradually improve the condition of the unclassified road network

This approach:

• supports the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure
• ensures that it continues to meet the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors across the county

We focus on:

• innovation
• efficiency
• preventative maintenance

This is delivered through structured and prioritised programmes of work. These programmes are designed to:

• maximise value for money
• reduce disruption
• support Lincolnshire’s economic and social development

Asset management framework

Our asset management framework provides a structured and consistent approach to:

• planning
• delivering
• monitoring highway maintenance

We use the CONFIRM asset management system to capture, store, and analyse data on our highway assets. This enables us to make informed, evidence-based decisions about where and when to invest in maintenance and improvements.

Lifecycle planning and risk-based approach

We carry out regular condition surveys and lifecycle planning. This helps us identify potential issues early. This proactive approach helps to:

• extend the life of our assets
• reduce long-term costs
• minimise disruption to road users

We have also adopted a risk-based approach to maintenance, moving away from a purely prescriptive model. This allows us to prioritise work based on the likelihood and impact of asset failure, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed.

Highway infrastructure asset management plan (HIAMP)

Our HIAMP outlines how we manage our highway assets on a day-to-day basis. It includes details on:

• routine inspections: regular checks to identify and address defects early, preventing escalation into major issues
• planned maintenance: scheduled activities such as resurfacing and structural repairs to maintain road quality and safety
• response times: information on timescales for when we will repair a defect dependent upon severity and hierarchy of the carriageway or footway

Current asset condition

Lincolnshire’s principal road network is currently in better condition than the average for rural authorities. The condition of unclassified roads has also improved significantly in recent years. This reflects the effectiveness of our proactive maintenance strategy and investment in long-term asset management.

Programmes of work and collaboration

We work closely with contractors through collaborative frameworks and agreements, such as the Street Works Charter. This brings together utility companies and contractors to:

• coordinate works
• minimise disruption
• improve efficiency

Our programmes of work are aligned with stakeholder input and community feedback, ensuring they reflect local priorities and expectations.

Data-driven decisions and preventative maintenance

We prioritise preventative maintenance over reactive repairs, which is more cost-effective and helps maintain assets in good condition. Using CONFIRM, we make data-driven decisions that support long-term planning and efficient use of funding.

Lincolnshire Condition Indicator (LCI)

To support scheme identification and prioritisation, we use the Lincolnshire Condition Indicator (LCI). This combines data from Coarse Visual Inspections (CVI) and SCANNER surveys to provide a comprehensive view of network condition. This helps us target investment where it will have the greatest impact.

Specific plans for 2025 to 2026

We plan to deliver:

• 226 carriageway resurfacing schemes, covering 74.7 miles (120.2 km)
• 217 surface dressing schemes, covering 162 miles (261 km)
• 183 footway micro-surfacing schemes
• 35 footway reconstruction schemes
• 33 structures maintained

View our full programme of highways improvements for the 2025 to 2026 financial year. The programme is presented in both list and map formats. It includes:

• upcoming works
• completed schemes dating back to 2023 and 2024

The information is updated regularly to reflect changes in scheduling and scope. For ease of navigation and relevance, users can filter the data by:

• work type
• start date
• electoral division
• town or parish

Street Works

We collaborate closely with:

• utility companies
• developers
• private licence holders undertaking works on our highway network

This cooperation promotes collaborative working. It helps to prevent:

• repeated implementation of traffic management
• unnecessary disruption caused by multiple instances of road excavation

As part of this effort, we launched the Lincolnshire street works charter on 1 September 2023. The charter is a commitment to drive positive change. It ensures works are completed safely while minimising disruption and is the only one of its kind in the UK. It has been signed by 12 major utility companies along with our contract partners, responsible for our maintenance and improvement works.

Each organisation that has signed the charter has appointed a champion. They ensure the aims and objectives are integrated throughout their operations and with their contract partners.

We take coordination of street works seriously, along with a keen focus to:

• protect our highway assets
• use all available powers under the following acts, to minimise disruption:
  • New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) 1991
  • Traffic Management Act 2004
  • Highways Act 1980

On a day-to-day basis, we achieve this through the following actions:

• Developer collaboration: we encourage collaborative working at developer sites. This minimises the impact on the highway, both in terms of asset integrity and disruption. We have involved developers in our Street Works Charter discussions to foster an understanding of how such collaboration can be achieved.
• Use of Section 58 restriction notices: for major schemes involving substantial resurfacing or construction, we issue Section 58 notices. This prevents planned works for a period of two or three years. These notices are published on our website and Street Manager to give works promoters visibility of areas where works cannot take place. Where utility work is exempt, we evaluate the impact on a case-by-case basis. Where appropriate, we negotiate for enhanced reinstatement to benefit the long-term durability of the highway.
• We operate the Lincolnshire Permit Scheme to foster effective coordination of works on the highway. With over 70,000 permit requests each year, we aim to reduce repeated visits to the same streets. A 30% permit fee discount is available to utility companies that work collaboratively.
• We use third-party systems, such as One.Network. This allows us to gain greater visibility of previous works and their impact when assessing permit applications.
• Forward planning notices: we encourage works promoters to use forward planning notices to increase awareness of upcoming major works. We are developing a map-based portal that will allow all organisations working on the highway to view major works across the county, with the intention of promoting collaborative planning for new development sites.
•  We have developed a forward programme brief system. It uses our asset management system and Power BI. This system shares details of major projects, including utility works, with all stakeholders. It fosters collaboration and prevents conflicts with planned maintenance works.
• We carry out comprehensive inspections at all stages of street works. This includes performance-based inspections and additional routine inspections. This ensures the reinstatements that are most impactful if they fail are checked before their guarantee periods expire. Inspections are also carried out at weekends to ensure compliance with standards.
•  We implement a thorough investigatory core testing regime. This ensures that newly reinstated surfaces meet the correct specifications. It is especially important for immediate or connection works by utility companies.Where non-compliance is found, we issue:
  • fixed penalty notices
  • defect notices
  • Section 74s

 If a works promoter fails to complete remedial work following a defect notification, we will:

• complete the necessary remedial work
• recharge the promoter where appropriate

Additionally, we contribute to local and national working groups, such as the Joint Authorities Group and the Highways and Utilities Committees (HAUC). This promotes the importance of effective planning, with the Lincolnshire HAUC coordination meeting taking place every quarter.

Climate change, resilience and adaptation

Our highways service was one of the pioneer authorities that engaged and helped develop the Future Highways Research Group carbon calculation and reporting guidance. As part of that process, we have calculated our greenhouse gas emissions for scope 1, 2 and 3 for our maintenance activity. The initial baseline has been used to focus workstreams that have potential for decarbonisation. The second iteration of this data capture has recently commenced.

Lincolnshire’s climate change adaptation plan 2024 to 2030 outlines the main risks to the authority, focusing on the highway service. The unique geology and ground conditions faced in relation to drought damage has meant that the service has needed to develop strategies to deal with this. Utilisation of technology and alternative treatment types has meant that the highway service understands the location and likelihood of this risk so that it is mitigated into the future.

The highway service has an extensive programme of recycling. This is strategically managed at our recycling hubs across Lincolnshire. The EA permitted sites allow us to manage and process material in the most efficient and effective way. Within 2024 to 2025, the authority recycled approximately 30,000 tonnes of asphalt waste containing coal tar through a blend of in-situ recycling and cold recycled bound material.

We have placed a strong emphasis on sustainable, climate-resilient practices. This is part of our preventative maintenance strategy. Surface dressing continues to play a key role. This is supported by the recycling and reuse of approximately 10,000 tonnes of chippings in 2024 to 2025 minimising waste. In addition to this, we also utilise treatments such as:

• micro asphalt
• retexturing
• asphalt preservation

These treatments aim to:

• extend the life of road surfaces
• improve skid resistance
• reduce the need for more carbon-intensive resurfacing

These approaches align with our commitment to climate change resilience and adaptation. This ensures our road network remains durable and safe in the face of increasing environmental challenges.

Resilient network

Our resilient network identifies all the critical routes within the county which are classed as priority in severe weather incidents. This considers:

• connectivity to major communities
• access to emergency services
• links to all critical infrastructure and transport hubs
• repeat weather events
• additional local factors

Our resilient network consists of the statutory A and B roads map layer and the drawn-on routes within the main towns that consider the essential points which are included in the code of practice. The main elements to determine inclusion are:

• connectivity between major communities
• links to the strategic highway network
• connectivity across authority boundaries where appropriate
• links to transport interchanges
• access to emergency facilities including:
  • fire and rescue
  • police
  • ambulance services
  • hospitals
• links to critical infrastructure, for example:
  • ports
  • power stations
  • water treatment works
• principal public transport routes, access to rail and bus stations, and to bus garages and other depots
• other locally important facilities

Further information on the resilient network can be found within our winter service plan.