Worcestershire asks developers to help shape new highways charges

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 17:38 · Archive

Worcestershire County Council is consulting on a new system for charging developers towards maintaining specialist highway features.

Worcestershire County Council has launched a consultation on a new "commuted sums" policy that would require developers to make one-off payments towards the future maintenance of non-standard highway features. The council is seeking feedback from developers, highway designers and technical specialists as it draws up the details.

Under the plans, developers would pay one-off sums towards maintenance of specialist features such as bespoke paving, specialist street lighting, trees, landscaped areas and other enhanced features that are eventually adopted by the council. The charges would generally cover maintenance for 60 years, with different periods for specific assets such as bridges. The policy would apply through Section 278 and Section 38 agreements, which are used where developers carry out works to existing highways or construct roads which are subsequently adopted.

The council wants feedback on the methodology and assumptions behind the charges as well as how they would fit alongside the existing process for developments and highway adoption. Highways chief Tom Wells said the move would "protect the highways maintenance budget" and "protect taxpayers". The intention is to allow developers to use specialist materials and landscaping without leaving the authority with unfunded maintenance costs when those features become its responsibility.

How it is being reported

• Developers asked to help shape new Worcestershire highways chargesDEVELOPERS are being asked for their say on how a new system of charges for maintaining specialist highway features should work in Worcestershire.Malvern Gazette · 2 Nov, 17:20
• Developers asked to help shape new Worcestershire highways chargesDEVELOPERS are being asked for their say on how a new system of charges for maintaining specialist highway features should work in Worcestershire.Worcester News · 2 Nov, 17:20

In this story: Worcestershire County Council · Tom Wells · Worcestershire

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