Dangerous structures and public safety

The County Council is responsible for ensuring that the highway is kept safe. This includes responsibility for structures. However, if these are owned by a third party then there are limits to what the county council can do. First point of contact is the local Highways Area Office.

Road markings and signage - red routes

The county council does not have any plans for Red Routes. The county council is responsible for Road Markings & Signage. Initial contact is the local Highways Area Office. or Highways Helpline (0845 603 7631).

Roads and highways - maintenance programme structural surveys

ECC as Highways Authority undertakes route surveys into the condition of its principal roads, non principal roads and footways.
Local Transport Plan Annual Report

Roads and highways - enforcement

The county council, along with district, parish and town councils is responsible for issuing licences and permissions to undertake works or place items in the Highway.
The main areas where the county council has responsibility are: skips; scaffolding licences; drops and drop kerbs for driveways. Enquiries contact the local Highway Area Office.  ECC is also responsible for making traffic orders and shares responsibility for enforcing these orders with the police. For all other matters of enforcement, Essex Police is responsible.

Roads and highways - weight limits

ECC is responsible for introducing weight limits on bridges where necessary. We have a list of height limits. We do not have a list of other environmental weight limits. Contact the local Highways Area Office. With regard to abnormal loads, Essex County Council are a statutory consultee.

Roads and highways - bridges (general)

Essex County Council is responsible for most bridges carrying a road or network rail, but there are some privately owned structures.

Roads and highways - bridge strengthening

The county council carries out annual programmes to assess the load carrying capacity of bridges. If a weak bridge is identified, measures are taken to strengthen it or alternatively a weight limit restriction may be imposed.

Roads and highways flooding (drains and gullies)

The county council is responsible for dealing with flooding problems on the highway. However, the reasons for the flooding may be the responsibility of a third party, e.g. an adjacent landowner or the Environment Agency.

Roads, highways and pavements - gritting

The county council is responsible for taking reasonable steps to keep the highway free from snow and ice. In Essex this duty is discharged mainly by salting (gritting) roads before frosts. However, only approximately 40% of the highway network is treated in this way.

Roads, highways and pavements - snow clearance

In times of heavy snow the county council endeavours to clear the roads and pavements as quickly as possible in accordance with their policy. Operations are controlled carefully to ensure that areas of greatest risk are treated first.

Roads, highways and pavements - walls

Generally, any boundary wall to the highway is the responsibility of the landowner. However, if the wall is supporting the highway or land adjacent it to it, the county council may be responsible for its maintenance and update.

Lighting - traffic lights

The county council is responsible for maintaining the majority of street lighting on the major roads in the county. District and Parish councils can also provide and maintain street lights. Provision of traffic lights and their operation and maintenance is a county council role.

Verges

The majority of verges which are within the boundary of the highway are the responsibility of the county council, but local arrangements for their maintenance have been made in some areas with district and parish councils.

Roads and highways - road adoption

The county council maintains a register of all roads for which it has a responsibility to maintain. When a new road is built as part of an estate, the county council would adopt the road for maintenance once it is satisfied that it is in good condition. There are still a small proportion of roads in the county that are not maintainable by the county council. All enquiries are directed to the Highways Helpline (0845 603 7631).