Other types of highways and road maintenance we do
When most people think of highways they will think of potholes, streetlights and road repairs. But there is a lot more which the highways service do.
Bridge maintenance
We have over 200 bridges and structures on the highways network. Bridges are managed as part of the planned works and appear on the annual plan.
In Central Bedfordshire we also have a number of bridges and structures which no longer serve traffic but we are required to maintain them for safety reasons.
Fences and boundary walls
Boundary walls and fences are the responsibility of the landowner. However, if you have a concern regarding a wall or fence that is in a state of disrepair and encroaching on the highway, or is causing a safety hazard, you should report it to us online.
We maintain and repair walls
- supporting the structure of the highway - these are called highway retaining walls
- retaining land that has been excavated in cutting to form a highway parapet wall on bridges
- providing a safety barrier
Road markings
Road markings are used to define carriageway lanes and edges, parking and waiting restrictions and to convey warnings and other instructions to road users. Road markings are subject to considerable wear. All our roads are subject to safety inspections at least annually, and this includes identifying any markings that are badly damaged or degraded.
Illuminated signs and bollards
Many traffic signs and bollards are lit at night so that the warnings to motorists are clearly visible. We are responsible for around 2,200 of them and they have a maintenance inspection once a year. Routine highway inspections, and reports from the public identify any faults and condition problems that may arise in between maintenance inspections.
Common faults are:
- overgrown trees and hedges obstructing signs and preventing visibility by road users
- traffic accidents causing damage to illuminated signs and bollards
- vandalism preventing visibility of the sign's message
If it's a safety issue, we will attend and make safe within three hours. Illuminated bollard and statutory signs are repaired within 24 hours; replacements are installed within ten days. Other issues will be dealt with within five days.