REVEALED: Code of practice update - risk-based approach to be retained and 'refined'

The updated Well-Managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice will retain the risk-based approach for highways maintenance, but will include an additional chapter and new content sections on key modern issues such as AI, carbon and human capital, Highways can reveal.

Rather than a return to defining minimum service levels, the new guidance will ‘refine' the risk-based approach. This key point was revealed by John Paterson and Ravi Khera of AtkinsRealis, on behalf of the UKRLG, at the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) conference this month.

The pair have been helping lead the major, ongoing effort to review and update the existing code, which has involved a number of working groups and scores of stakeholders from across the sector.

The current code took effect in 2018 and promised something of a revolution by stating: ‘The principle of this Code is that Highway Authorities will adopt a risk-based approach in accordance with local needs (including safety), priorities and affordability.'

However, the concept of ‘affordability' has not been developed in case law as some expected it might and resources are still generally not seen as a stand-alone defence under the Highways Act 1980.

Though the updated code will not force this issue, Highways understands, it is set to provide a range of illustrative maintenance measures an authority might take. These will not be prescriptive or exhaustive but would represent reasonable actions, while also reflecting different price points.

Other updates to the UK-wide guidance include an entirely new Part E on tunnels, and the inclusion of new sections in Part A (‘overarching principles') on carbon, AI, innovation, streetworks and human capital.

Part A will also have ‘sections on asset parts to make the overarching principles more tangible' and extended sections on network knowledge, finance and investment and procurement and delivery.

Overall, the code will have ‘stronger alignment with the four core objectives, safety, serviceability, sustainability and customer service'.

The aim is to finalise the draft code for open consultation this Spring/Summer, with plans to launch and publish the final code in the Autumn.