Dorset Highways is responsible for a significant amount of infrastructure including carriageways, footpaths, cycleways, traffic signals, signs, street lighting, safety fences, verges, bridges, and public rights of way.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has requested that all local highways authorities publish information about their highways maintenance activities to demonstrate to local taxpayers the difference that funding is making in their areas.
Here's a breakdown of our highway network and other highway associated asset groups by type:
Roads: 3,803.4 km of roads:
Dorset Council does not maintain trunk roads these are the responsibility of National Highways.
Footways: 2,640 km
Bridges and Structures:
Around 10% of our bridge this stock is covered by heritage protection, with listed building or scheduled monument classification.
Safety Fences or Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS): 45,533 m
Public Rights of Way: 4,595 km
Cycleways: 361.8 km
Street Lighting: 46,000 street lighting elements, including 4,600 illuminated traffic signs and bollards, managed through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract.
Traffic Control and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS):
Drainage:
Other assets:
| Year | Percentage of road in red category | Percentage of road in amber category | Percentage of road in green category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2.0% | 17.0% | 81.0% |
| 2024 | 2.2% | 22.5% | 75.3% |
| 2025 | 2.0% | 22.0% | 76.0% |
| Year | Percentage of road in red category | Percentage of road in amber category | Percentage of road in green category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6.5% | 26.5% | 67.0% |
| 2024 | 6.0% | 28.0% | 66.0% |
| 2025 | 3.9% | 27.4% | 68.7% |
| Year | Percentage of road in red category |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 12.8% |
| 2024 | 11.8% |
| 2025 | 13.2% |
We annually assess the condition of Dorset’s roads to ensure they remain safe, serviceable, and well maintained. Condition data on classified roads has traditionally been collected using SCANNER (Surface Condition Assessment for the National Network of Roads), a laser-based surveying system that measures road surface characteristics. These measurements are used to classify roads into three condition categories:
Over recent years, Dorset has used a combination of SCANNER and video survey technologies to monitor network condition. In preparation for the introduction of the BSI PAS 2161 standard from 2026/27, Dorset appointed a PAS2161 compliant single survey supplier in 2025 to survey the entire network, providing a consistent baseline for future reporting.
PAS 2161 introduces five condition categories, enabling a more detailed and consistent understanding of Dorset's road condition when benchmarked against other authorities.
Dorset define a pothole as a loss of material from the carriageway surface creating a sharp-edged depression or void.
We classify potholes according to their size and associated risk:
Potholes are assessed against our network hierarchy and risk matrix to determine the appropriate response. Emergency higher risk defects may require an urgent temporary repair or make safe response within 32 hours, followed by a permanent repair. Potholes form when the carriageway surface becomes damaged, allowing water to penetrate and weaken the pavement structure. Freeze thaw cycles, traffic loading, heavy vehicles and general wear accelerate deterioration. Which reinforces our approach to proactive preventive maintenance to address root causes and extend network life.
During the 2025/26 financial year, Dorset Council repaired 11,123 potholes (surface defects) across the highway network. Our approach combines responsive maintenance with a proactive asset management strategy designed to improve road condition, enhance safety and reduce potholes forming or reoccurring in the future.
Repairs are prioritised using a risk-based approach that considers factors such as defect size, depth, location, traffic levels and road classification. Defects on busier routes, including A and B roads, are generally repaired more quickly due to the higher risk they present to road users and network reliability.
Dorset Council invests in preventative maintenance treatments such as surface dressing, asphalt preservation and rejuvenation to seal road surfaces, slow deterioration and extend pavement life. Targeted investment in drainage improvements also helps reduce damage caused by standing and flowing water. Preventing potholes forming in the first place is a key part of our long-term strategy.
Where possible, permanent repairs are completed on the first visit, with larger patching areas treated rather than simply filling the pothole. This provides a more durable solution, reduces repeat repairs and minimises disruption. However, where safety, traffic management requirements, weather conditions or programme constraints prevent an immediate permanent repair, a temporary repair may be used to make the defect safe until a permanent solution can be delivered through a planned maintenance programme.
Through regular inspections, public reporting and targeted preventative maintenance, Dorset Council balances immediate safety needs with long-term investment, helping to deliver a safer, more resilient highway network and better value for money.
Members of the public can quickly and easily report potholes and other highway defects through Dorset Council’s online reporting system: Dorset Council - Report a problem on the road or pavement. The self-service platform allows residents to report issues including potholes, drainage and flooding problems, overgrown vegetation, traffic signal and street lighting faults, abandoned vehicles, rights of way concerns, roadworks issues, and other road or pavement defects. For hazardous situations requiring an immediate response, there is a 24-hour highways telephone hotline on 01305 221020. This helps streamline processes and ensures defects are logged, assessed, and prioritised efficiently.
After a pothole or highway defect is reported, it is allocated a reference number which can be used to track progress online.
If an email address was provided, updates will also be sent as the enquiry progresses. All reports are reviewed and prioritised according to risk.
The most hazardous defects are attended to and made safe within 32 hours. All other enquiries are resolved, including any appropriate works, within the prescribed timescales.
We also inform customers of any delays and notify when the issue has been resolved, requires no further action, or has been referred to another organisation.
| Maintenance category | 2024 to 2025 | 2025 to 2026 | 2026 to 2027 (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total spend on highways maintenance | £25,096,729 | £26,797,484 | £35,215,914 |
| Spending on carriageways | £20,018,017 | £21,488,038 | £27,778,839 |
| Spending on footways and cycleways | £1,033,165 | £527,591 | £1,195,000 |
| Spending on structures (for example bridges or tunnels) | £1,930,600 | £2,173,956 | £3,357,075 |
| Spending on drainage | £1,364,681 | £1,688,793 | £1,500,000 |
| Spending on land slips | £162,691 | £366,395 | £500,000 |
| Spending on other assets | £587,575 | £552,711 | £885,000 |
| Funding source for highways maintenance | 2024 to 2025 | 2025 to 2026 | 2026 to 2027 (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funding received through the Department for Transport or UK Government | £18,459,000 | £25,012,790 | £25,845,000 |
| Additional highways maintenance funding provided by the council or third parties (if applicable) | £8,491,518 | £7,831,855 | £8,360,000 |
| Total funding | £26,950,518 | £32,844,645 | £34,205,000 |
For 2026-27, Dorset Council plans to deliver 128.75 km of preventative carriageway treatments and 122.38 km of structural carriageway maintenance, meaning this year 51% of carriageway activity will be delivered through preventative and proactive interventions:
Further details: Live programme of road maintenance works
For 2026-27, Dorset Council plans to deliver 128.75 km of preventative carriageway treatments and 122.38 km of structural carriageway maintenance, meaning this year 51% of carriageway activity will be delivered through preventative and proactive interventions:
Further details: Live programme of road maintenance works
Further information can be found for roadworks and impacts via Information Map of Road Works Dorset Council or Causeway one.network.
| Link section | Road name |
|---|---|
| I/D12001/105 | East Bexington Farm Road |
| I/D20661/105, 110 | Cokers Farm Road - Jct C12, Charminster, To Jct B3143, Near Stinsford |
| I/D20661/115 | Slyers Road Piddlehinton Road B3143 Cros |
| I/D21304/105,110 | Tinkleton Farm Access Road |
| I/D11707/105 | Norwood Lane, Corscombe |
| I/C93/145 | Redford Farm Junction Redford Batcombe |
| I/D20555/105 | Batcombe Road, Leigh |
| I/D20551/105 | Hermitage To Holnest Park Farmhouse |
| I/D20537/105 | Downs Lane, Yetminster |
| I/D20518/110,120, 125,130 | Jct C11, Beer Hackett, To Jct Whitfield Farm Lane, Knighton |
| I/D20305/110+115 | West Lane, North Wootton |
| I/D20118/120 | Sandford Orcas Road - Jct C144, Sandford Orcas, To Sherborne Town Boundary |
| I/D20316/105 | Tut Hill, Alweston |
| I/D20115/105 | Holway, Sandford Orcas |
| I/D31612/105 | Ridgeway Lane, Hinton St Mary |
| I/D31721/105 | Newmans Drove - From C14 Bere Marsh To Bere Marsh Cottage Hammoon |
| I/A357/230, 235 | A357 - Gains Cross To Enford Farm |
| I/A357/195 | A357 Fiddleford Bridge To Castle Hill |
| I/A357/200 | A357 - Castle Lane To Hayward Lane Shillingstone |
| I/D92632/105 | Reap Lane Portland |
| I/D92921/105 | Yeates Road, Portland |
| I/D92608/105 | Sweethill, Portland |
| I/A35/180, I/A35/175, I/A35/155 | Upton Bypass - Slips |
| I/B3067/120 | Poole Road Upton |
| I/B3068/105 | Blandford Road North, Upton |
| I/C5/160 | Springdale Rbt, Corfe Mullen Miles Macadam |
| I/D40934/105 | Old Market Road, Corfe Mullen |
| I/D40401/105 | Newtown Road, Verwood |
| I/C50/105,110 | Holt Road Three Legged Cross |
| I/D40618/105 | Harts Lane To C50, Broom Hill |
| I/D40113/105 | Woodcutts-Access Road, Farnham (Straight Lane) Hpg |
| I/C91/115 | Broad Lane - From Cock Crowing Corner To Jct D10728 Watton Lane, Bridport |
| I/D10301/120 | West Swilletts Farm Lane Junction To Pit |
| I/D10910/105 | Knoll Lane, Loders |
| I/A3066/105 | Main Road Mosterton |
| I/D11005/105 | Church Road - Loop Off Jack's Hill, North Poorton |
| I/D11012/115+110 | South Poorton To St Marys Church |
| I/B3162/220 | West/East Street, Bridport (Mark Gay Has A Dev Scheme To Do At Same Time) |
| I/C96/145 | St James Road, Netherbury - Drainage Works To Be Done With Resurfacing |
| I/C18/185 | C18, Dottery (Atrim Road) |
| I/C87/105 | Pilsdon Lane |
| I/A348/140 | Ringwood Road, Ferndown (Tesco's) Miles |
| I/A348/135 | Pennys Hill, Ferndown - Miles |
| I/B3078/215,220 | B3078 Cranborne To Alderholt |
| I/A30/180, 185 | Greenhill, Sherborne |
| I/A30/170 | Kitt Hill, Sherborne - Contribution?? |
| I/A30/235 | Lotmoor Hill, East Stour |
| I/B3150/160 | Bridport Road, Dorchester |
| I/A351/150 | Wareham Bypass |
| I/C34/260 | High Street, Puddletown |
| I/A354/370 | Basan Hill Burleston |
| I/C82/105 | C82 - From Jct C33, Near Lower Lewell Farm To Jct C33 West Stafford Bypass -Hra |
| I/B3143/190,195 | B3143, Waterston |
| I/C116/120 | Knoll Lane Corfe Mullen |
| I/B3159/115, I/C53/115 | Main Road, Martinstown |
| I/C128/105 | Herrison Road - Jct Sherren Ave To Jct C12 (Adjacent To Roman Road Farm) |
| I/B3157/255 | Wessex Roundabout Weymouth (Miles Macadam) - Liaise With Highways Improvements |
| I/A348/120 | Turbary Roundabout Ferndown (Miles Macadam) |
| I/D51612/105 | Pinewood Road, Upton (Miles M) |
| I/D51605/105 | Moorland Way, Upton - Reconstruction |
| I/C920/105, I/D91501/105 | Weymouth Seafront North |
| I/B3155/130 | King Street, Weymouth |
| I/C920/105 | Weymouth Seafron South |
| I/B3163/120 | Clay Lane Beaminster |
| I/D92427/105 | Merley Road/Portland Road |
| I/D92539/105 | Fleet View, Weymouth |
| I/C77/105,110 | C77 - Jct C18, Dodge's Orchard To Jct Track Adjacent Lower Monkwood Farm, Monkwood |
| I/C98/130 | Crate Hill, Miles |
| I/D20622/105 | Rew Lane |
| I/B3157/170 | B3157 Abbotsbury Castle |
| I/A354/180,185 | Rodwell Road, Weymouth |
| I/D90935/105 | Haywards Avenue Weymouth |
| I/D90915/105 | Lodmoor Avenue Weymouth |
| I/D93306/105 | Spa Road, Weymouth |
| I/A37/110 | A37 Brakers Hill To Holt Ln - Cw |
| I/A37/165 | Long Ash Lane - Jct Church Lane, Picketts Cross To Jct A356, Near Grimstone |
| I/A351/205 | A351 Nr National Trust Centre |
| I/B3390/130,135,140 | Station Road/ Woodsford Lane, Moreton |
| I/C84/105 | Bindon Lane Wool - East Holme |
| I/B3069/115 | Langton Road Kingston |
| I/C135/115,120 | Worth Matravers To Acton |
| I/B3081/125 | Wyke Road Gillingham |
| I/C95/115,120 | Holt Road - From Jct D40611 Lodge Road, Holt To Broad Bridge, Rowe Hill |
| I/B3157/215 | B3157 - Junc Nottington Lane To Junc Bagwell Farm |
| I/D11303/105 | Bonscombe Hill Lane |
| I/D31012/110 | Scotchy Lane, Stour Provest |
| I/A352/380 | Worgret Hill - From Jct Entrance High Tor To A351 Worgret R/A, Wareham |
| I/A352/165 | Sandy Lane - From Jct C29 South Of Minterne Park To Jct D20705 Northern Up Cerne Turning; Minterne Magna |
| I/A356/170 | Crewkerne Road - Maiden Newton To Toller Junction |
| I/B3069/120 | Kingston Road Langton Matravers |
| I/D20673/105 | Bramblecombe Dairy And Copse Dairy Acces, Cheselbourne |
| I/D20626/105 | Cranes Meadow, Buckland Newton |
| I/D20645/105 | Mill Lane, Charminster |
| I/D20645/115 | Higher Charminster |
| I/C31/140 | Blandford Road Milton Abbas |
| I/C12/170, I/B3144/115 |
Weymouth Ave, Dorchester - Brewary Square |
| I/B3147/130 | Weymouth Ave, Dorchester - Cricket Ground |
| I/C163/105 | South Walks Road, Dorchester |
| I/D20918/110 | West Walks Road - Dorchester |
| I/D20615/110 | Church Of The Holy Rood Junction To Junc B3143, Buckland Newton |
| I/D40930/105 | Waterloo Road, Corfe Mullen |
| I/C116/105, 110, 115 | Rushall Lane Corfe Mullen |
| I/D33312/105 | The Knapp, Hinton |
| I/D21319/105 | Access Road To Lewell Mill |
| I/C50/160,165 | Middlehill Road, Wimborne |
| I/D20667/105, 110 | Lane From Drakes Ln To Stretway Lane Cheselborne |
| I/C41/105 | Hummer Road, Hummer |
| I/A354/470 | Salisbury Road - Jct C47 Anvil Rd, Pimperne To Entrance Blandford Camp At Collingwood Corner |
| I/D41417/105 | Library Road, Ferndown |
| I/D52308/105 | Commercial Road, Swanage |
| I/C114/120 | Furzebrook Road |
| I/D93418/105 | Louviers Road, Weymouth |
| I/D93201/105 | Church Lane, Portland |
| I/A357/150 | Main Road, Lydinch |
| I/D20801/105, I/D20807/105 | Mill Street/ Blackwater Puddletown |
| I/D20802/105 | The Square - Jct Mill Street To Jct The Green, Puddletown |
| I/C90/115 | Sea Hill Lane, Seatown |
| I/D20803/105 | The Green, Puddletown |
| I/C109/130 | Chapel Road Bagber |
| I/D30909/105 | Nash Lane, Marnhull |
| I/D20604/105 | Minterne Parva Lane |
| I/B3351/105 | Studland Road |
| I/D50601/105 | Cotness Road, East Creech |
| Link section | Road name |
|---|---|
| I/B3157/150 | Common Lane Burton Bradstock - Petrol Station To Chesil Beach Lodge Entr |
| I/B3165/105 | B3165 Oathill To Cty Boundary |
| I/B3162/120 | Greenham Lane, Greenham |
| I/D10601/110 | Gassons Lane Bridport |
| I/D10601/105 | Cards Mill Lane Bridport |
| I/D11211/105 | Chantry Lane Beaminster |
| I/D11303/110 | Bonscombe Lane Shipton Gorge |
| I/D11203/120 | East Street &Amp; Langdon Lane - Jct B3163; To End Of Road; Beaminster |
| I/D12602/105/110 | Church Hill Lane, Compton Valance |
| I/C28/120 | Greenford Lane - From Parish Bndry At Track Jct 800m North Of C. Valence Turning To Jct D12601 To Kingston Russell |
| I/D12601/110/115/120 | Roman Rd - Jct Whiteway Cross, Near Two Gates, Jct C133, To Spyway, To Jct Whiteway Cross, Near Two Gates Near Compton Valence |
| I/D12603/105 | Roman Road - Jct C28 To Jct C10, Near Winterbourne Abbas |
| I/C28/125 | C28 - From Jct D12601 To Kingston Russell To Jct D12603 South Of Compton Valence (Roman Road) |
| I/D93417/105 | Castlemaine Road Weymouth |
| I/D93416/105 | Wentworth Close Weymouth |
| I/D90809/105 | Hazel Drive Preston |
| I/D90811/105 | Maple Close Preston |
| I/D90802/105 | Cedar Drive Preston. |
| I/D908810 | Forehill Close Preston |
| I/D90808 | Willow Crescent Preston |
| I/D90706/105 | Verlands Road Sutton Poyntz. |
| I/D90701/105 | Winslow Road Sutton Poyntz. |
| I/B3150/185 | London Road, Dorchester |
| I/C128/110 | Rectory Road Piddlehinton |
| I/C126/110 | Herringston Road Dorchester |
| I/D20904/105 | St Thomas Road, Dorchester |
| I/B3143/160 | B3143 Junc Church Ln Piddlehinton To Alton Pancras |
| I/A352/195,200 | A352 - Godmanstone To Charlton Down |
| I/B3075/130 | B3075 From Junc A35 Morden Pk Corner To Junc Gallops Lane |
| I/D52211/105, D51401/110/105 | Burnhams Lane, Swanage |
| I/C59/115 | Watery Lane, Tincleton |
| I/D50805/110 | Burnbake, Rempstone |
| I/D50806/105 | Breachers Lane, Corfe Castle |
| I/D50817/110 | South Street, Kingston |
| I/D50819/110 | Quarry Lane, Kingston |
| I/D12205/115 | Notton Lane, Notton |
| I/D21366/105 | Hybris Business Park - The Scotton Way Warmwell Rd To End At Car Park Crossways (Flooding Issues) |
| I/A352/300 | A352 - E/B Dual C/Way From Warmwell Cross R/A To End Of Dual C/Way Near Owermoigne |
| I/A352/305 | A352 - W/B Dual C/Way From Start Of Dual C/Way Near Owermoigne To Warmwell Cross R/A |
| I/A352/310/315 | Wareham Road - From End Of Dual C/Way Near Owermoigne Jct West Chaldon Owermoigne |
| I/B3390/145 | Warmwell Road - Jct Dick O Th Banks Road Crossways To Jct Warmwell Quarry Opp Warmwell Caravan Park |
| I/B3390/150/155 | Warmwell Road - From Jct Warmwell Quarry Opp Warmwell Caravan Park Crossways To Warmwell Cross R/A Near Warmwell |
| I/C80/150/155 | Waddock Cross To Clouds Hill - Bovington |
| I/D20805/105 | Orford Street - Cul-De-Sac Off Mill Street, Puddletown |
| I/B3075/105,110 | B3075 Spetisbury To A31 Junc + Louise Lane |
| I/B3092/155,160 | Scotchey Hill, East Stour |
| I/D32932/105 | Holland Way, Blandford |
| I/C74/130 | Bay Road, Gillingham |
| I/D30591/105 | The Meadows - Addison Close To End Gillingham |
| I/C138/165 | New Field Lane, Shroton (Besells Lane To Start Of Resurfacing Scheme) |
| I/B3143/105 | Nth Boundary Kings Stag To Junc A3030 |
| I/A354/465, 470 | Salisbury Road, Pimperne |
| I/D32922/105, 110 | Fishers Close, Blandford |
| I/C77/115 | Blackley Lane, Blackley |
| I/D20526/105 | Bradford Lane, Longburton |
| I/D32405/105 | School Lane, Tarrent Gunville |
| I/D32201/105 | New Lane, Shaftesbury |
| I/C16/120/125 | Knapp Hill, Motcombe |
| I/D31108/105 | Crockers Lane, Compton Abbas |
| I/D32014/105 | Chitcombe Farm, Woolland |
| I/D30604/105 | East Farm Lane, Pulham |
| I/D31702/105 | Ridgeway Lane, Chold Okeford |
| I/D31147/105 | Woodlands Lane, Shaftesbury |
| I/C103/140 | C103 From Gussage St Michael To The Roma, Gussage St Michael (In-Situ) |
| I/B3145/155 | Oborne Road - From Jct Castleton Road To Jct A30 Opp Blackmarsh Farm Sherborne |
| I/D20203/105 | Acreman Street - Jct A30 To Jct C162 Trendle Street Sherborne |
| I/C14/165 | C14 - From Jct Track At Markstone Cottages To Jct D31708 Little Hanford Child Okeford (Duck Street) |
| I/C34/110,115,120 | The Causeway, Hazelbury Bryan |
| I/D20118/125 I/D20256/105 | Sandford Orcas’ Road, Sherbrone |
| I/C37/105 | Yeovil Road Halstock |
| I/C11/145,140 | Pound Road, Thornford Road - Sherborne To Thornford Hpg |
| I/D41463/110, I/D41351/110 | Old Ham Lane/Fox Lane, Litle Canford |
| I/B3081/280, 285 | B3081 - Junc B3078 To Remedy Gate /Horton Road |
| I/D41022/105 | Lions Lane - From Horton Rd To Jct St Leonards Way Ash Hth |
| I/D41031/105 | St Ives Wood Road - From C2 To End Ash Hth |
| I/D41018/105 | High Street - From Lions Lane To Woolsbridge Rd Ash Hth |
| I/D41083/105 | Fernwood Close - Sandy Lane To T Jct Ash Hth |
| I/D41097/105 | Horton Road - Jct C2 To Posts At End Ash Hth |
| I/D41344/105 | Lane Between Hampreston Village And Ham |
| I/D20566/125 | Junc Load Lane To Jct Hilfield Road, Hilfield |
| I/D11902/105 | Parks Lane Litton Cheney |
| I/D11403/110 | Looke Lane Puncknowle |
| I/C98/135 | C98 Kitford Lane To Village Road |
| I/D20121/105/I/D20120/105 | Lions Lane/Hardings House Lane |
| I/D32011/110 | Leigh Lane Ibberton (Blandford) |
| I/D32011/105 | Allotment Hill Ibberton (Blandford) |
| Link section | Road name |
|---|---|
| I/D12001/105 | East Bexington Farm |
| I/D21304/105+110 | Tinkleton Farm Access Road |
| I/D11707/105 | Norwood Lane, Corscombe |
| I/D20661/105 + 110 | Cokers Farm Road - Jct C12, Charminster, To Jct B3143, Near Stinsford |
| I/D20661/115 | Slyers Road Piddlehinton Road B3143 Cros |
| I/C93/145 | Redford Farm Junction Redford Batcombe |
| I/D20555/105 | Batcombe Road, Leigh (Inc Calfhay Lane) |
| I/D20305/110+115 | West Lane, North Wootton |
| I/D20537/105 | Downs Lane, Yetminster |
| I/D20551/105 | Hermitage To Holnest Park Farmhouse |
| I/D20518/110,120, 125,130 | Jct C11, Beer Hackett, To Jct Whitfield Farm Lane, Knighton |
| I/D20316/105 | Tut Hill, Alweston |
| I/D20118/120 | Sandford Orcas’ Road - Jct C144, Sandford Orcas, To Sherborne Town Boundary |
| I/D20115/105 | Holway, Sandford Orcas |
| I/D31721/105 | Newmans Drove - From C14 Bere Marsh To Bere Marsh Cottage Hammoon |
| I/D31612/105 | Ridgeway Lane, Hinton St Mary |
| Link section | Road name |
|---|---|
| I/A3030/105,110,115 | A3030 From Junc A352 To Alweston |
| I/B3070/130 | B3070 East Lulworth |
| I/C12/130,125,120 | Old Sherborne Road - Jct C110, To Piddletrenthide, To Jct Bridleway Before Summit East Hill |
| I/A30/140,145,150,155 | Yeovil Road - Babylon Hill W/B Dual C/Way Between Jct C35 And Jct C141 Loscombe Cross |
| I/C76/130 | C76 - From Jct C76 Cross Roads, Woodlands Jct B3081, Sutton Common |
| I/C76/125 | C76 Horton Road - Jct C76 Cross Roads, Woodlands To Jct C2, East Of Horton |
| I/C76/115 | Church Hill - Jct C76 Cross Roads To Jct D40404 New Road, Woodlands |
| Link section | Road name |
|---|---|
| I/D40838/105 | Livingstone Road |
| I/D40833/105 | Hardy Crescent |
| I/D40804/105 | Barnes Crescent |
| I/D40814/105 | Churchill Road |
| I/D40829/105 | Gordon Road |
| I/D41578/105/110/115 | Canonhill Gardens |
| I/D31220/105 | Park Grove - From Gold St To Barrow Hill |
| I/D52610/105 | Keysworth Drive |
| I/D52616/105/110/115/120 | Tyneham Close |
| I/C7/140 | Sandford Road, Wareham. |
| I/D52623/105 | Morden Road - From B3075 To End North Of A351, Wareham |
| I/D52759/105 | Wyatts Lane - Church St To East Walls W |
| I/D51648/105 | Chelmsford Road - From Moorland Way West To Adoption End At Heatherdell, |
| I/D52714/105, 110 | Church Street |
| I/D52721/105 | East Walls |
| I/D93102/105 | Greenways (Spine Route) |
| I/D93102/110 | Greenways Cul-Du-Sac |
| I/D93117/105 | Shortlands |
| I/D93116/105 | Hamcroft |
| I/D93127/105 | Montrose |
| I/C927/110 | Weston Road, Easton (Reforne To Avalanche) |
| I/D10937/120 | Drew Close |
| I/D10936/110 | Fox Close |
| I/D10937/110 | Trinity Way |
| I/D12871/105 | Fishweir Fields (Spine) &Amp; Acer Avenue (Part Only) |
| I/D12838/105 | Princess Road (Top Section) |
| I/D12838/110 | Princess Road |
| I/D12854/105, 110 | Wanderwell |
| I/C96/175 | Victoria Grove From West Street To Coneygar Lane |
| Link section | Road name |
|---|---|
| I/C123/115 | Coles Lane, Shaftesbury |
| I/A353/150 | Grove Hill, Osmington |
| I/C80/160 | Bovington Lane To Tout Hill C80, Bere Regis |
| I/B3078/180 | B3078 Cranborne Road, Knowlton |
| I/B3146/110 | B3146 Glanvilles Wootton |
| I/A350/245 | High Street, Spetisbury |
| I/A356/190 | Dorchester Road, Frampton |
Cycleways:
Footway reconstruction:
Footway slurry:
Dorset Council prioritises highways maintenance through a risk-based asset management approach, using condition data, safety inspections, lifecycle planning and whole-life cost principles to target investment where it delivers the greatest benefit. Carriageways are assessed using survey data, defect information, network hierarchy, traffic volumes and local knowledge to identify the most appropriate treatment.
Our strategy focuses on a “right treatment, right road, right time” approach, increasing our use of preventative maintenance such as surface dressing, micro asphalt and preservation treatments to extend asset life, whilst reducing carbon and costs.
Structural maintenance and resurfacing schemes are still required for those roads where condition has deteriorated beyond preventative intervention.
We coordinate works across carriageways, structures, drainage, footways and cycleways to maximise efficiency and reduce repeat interventions. Live programme management, performance monitoring and collaboration with delivery partners enable Dorset Council to optimise funding and improve network resilience, providing a safe, reliable and sustainable highway service.
This technical annex section of the transparency report is to provides more detail of our service.
Capital funding allocation sources.
This technical annex section of the transparency report is to provides more detail of our service.
Capital funding allocation sources.
| Financial year | 2024 to 25 | 2025 to 26 | 2026 to 27 (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highways maintenance capital funding allocated through DfT | £18,459,000 | £25,012,790 | £25,845,000 |
| Other DfT capital funding utilised by local authority for highways maintenance | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Other Government capital funding allocated by local authority to Highways Maintenance | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Other capital funding allocated to highways maintenance | £8,491,518 | £7,831,855 | £8,360,000 |
| Total Capital funding allocated to highways maintenance | £26,950,518 | £32,844,645 | £34,205,000 |
As part of the council's capital programme, we continue to invest additional capital funding across multiple years for highways and cycleways to supplement the DfT capital allocation.
The council's capital highway maintenance programme 2026/27 allocations:
This continued commitment to additional funding aligns with the DfT’s multi-year funding strategy and the Dorset Council Plan 2024 to 2029:
The tables below relate to the spending conditions set out in the 2026 to 27 local highways maintenance incentive funding requirements. These have been completed in accordance with the 2026 to 27 local highways maintenance incentive funding requirements, as set out by the Department for Transport Letter to local authorities about local highway maintenance funding in 2026 to 2027.
| Financial year | 2024 to 25 | 2025 to 26 | 2026 to 27 (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total highways maintenance capital spend | £25,096,729 | £26,797,484 | £33,000,000 |
| Total highways maintenance revenue spend | £4,317,604.56 | £3,842,445.54 | £4,360,272 |
| Total spend | £29,414,333.56 | £30,639,929.54 | £37,360,272 |
There are also likely to be increased reactive costs in 2026/2027 due to several prolonged periods of flooding and an increase in the number of localised landslips at the end of FY 2025/2026 and increased staffing costs.
Along with extreme heat in summer 2026 causing surface cracking where emergency repair may be required as an interim measure.
| Planned carriageway spend related maintenance type | Capital 2025 to 26 | Revenue 2025 to 26 | Capital 2026 to 27 (projected) | Revenue 2026 to 27 (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preventative carriageway maintenance | £4,398,004 | £1,587,860 | £6,038,000 | £1,500,000 |
| Structural carriageway maintenance | £12,692,785 | £0 | £18,060,839 | £0 |
| Planned carriageway repair / patching programmes | £1,448,753 | £0 | £1,400,000 | £0 |
| Reactive carriageway repairs / patching spending type | Capital 2025 to 26 | Revenue 2025 to 26 | Capital 2026 to 27 (projected) | Revenue 2026 to 27 (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary repairs | £195,574 | £64,263 | £180,000 | £66,488 |
| Permanent repairs | £2,755,922 | £578,372 | £2,500,000 | £598,036 |
| Total | £2,951,496 | £ 642,635 | £2,280,000 | £664,484 |
| Other carriageway spend | Capital 2025 to 26 | Revenue 2025 to 26 | Capital 2026 to 27 (projected) | Revenue 2026 to 27 (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | £21,488,038 | £2,230,495 | £28,178,839 | £2,164,484 |
Planned maintenance represents the largest area of carriageway investment and includes preventative carriageway maintenance, structural carriageway maintenance and planned carriageway repair/patching programmes.
Total planned maintenance expenditure is forecast to increase from £20.1m in 2025/26 (£18.5m capital and £1.6m revenue) to £27.0m in 2026/27 (£25.5m capital and £1.5m revenue), demonstrating a significant shift towards proactive asset management.
A particular focus has been placed on preventative carriageway maintenance, which includes micro asphalt, high-textured micro asphalt, rejuvenation and preservation treatments, and surface dressing. Combined capital and revenue investment in preventative maintenance is projected to rise from £5.99m in 2025/26 to £7.54m in 2026/27, an increase of 26%. This reflects the Council's continued commitment to preserving carriageway condition and extending asset life through early intervention.
Investment in structural carriageway maintenance is also increasing substantially, from £12.7m to £18.1m, while planned patching programmes remain broadly stable at around £1.4m per annum.
Reactive maintenance comprises temporary repairs, such as spray injection patching, and permanent programmed defect repairs. Total reactive maintenance expenditure is forecast to remain relatively stable at approximately £3.6m per annum, with a slight reduction in capital-funded temporary repairs offset by a small increase in revenue-funded permanent repairs.
Our increased emphasis on increasing preventative maintenance spend is intended to address carriageway deterioration earlier, helping to reduce the need for more costly reactive interventions later.
| Financial year | Road receiving preventative road surface treatments (length, km) | Road receiving planned structural maintenance (length, km) | Area receiving planned repair / patching programmes | Area receiving reactive repair / patching (permanent methods) | Area receiving reactive repairs/ patching (temporary methods) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 26 | 117.79 Km | 102.91 Km | 30,462 M2 | 16,250 M2 | 6,482 M2 |
| 2026 to 27 projected | 128.75 Km | 122.38 Km | 30,000 M2 | 16,000 M2 | 6,000 M2 |
Dorset’s surface treatment programme is delivered through planned maintenance to extend asset life, preserve network condition, and minimise the need for reactive repairs. This includes permanent patching and a proactive screed patching programme to arrest deterioration, reduce repeat failures, and prepare sites for future thin surface treatments.
In 2026/27, Dorset’s early intervention approach focuses on Micro Asphalt, Surface Dressing, and rejuvenation and preservation treatments. The Council plans to deliver 128.75 km of preventative treatments and 122.38 km of structural maintenance, with 51% of all carriageway activity delivered through preventative, proactive, and thin surface treatment interventions.
This section sets out how authorities identify and repair potholes and other defects in carriageways, and how this activity fits within their wider maintenance approach. The Department is clear that prevention is better than cure: planned, preventative maintenance should be the foundation of a well-managed network, reducing the need for repeated reactive interventions.
Pothole/Defect intervention criteria
Below are our definitions pothole defects and the investigatory thresholds for action, all other 37 defined carriageway defects type definitions are documented here: Code of Practice for the Classification of Highway Safety Hazards Defects.
| Pothole/Defect category name (as used by your authority) | Minimum investigatory or definitional threshold (e.g. depth, area, width – include units) | Additional risk or contextual factors considered (e.g. road hierarchy, traffic levels, location in carriageway) | Target response time – make safe | Target response time – permanent repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High - Carriageways – Surfacing: Pothole – CP/CWP |
Greater than 300mm Wide AND Greater than 40mm Deep | Response based on Network Hierarchy | Category 1E: Emergency 2 Hour response Category 1: |
Infill with Bituminous Material Hierarchy 2,3 & 4 Category 1 – 32 Hours Hierarchy 5 Category 2a Scheduled – short term 7 Days Hierarchy 6,7,8 & 9 Category 2b Scheduled- medium term 28 Days |
| Medium - Carriageways – Surfacing: Pothole – CP/CWP |
Less than 300mm Wide AND Greater than 40mm Deep |
Response based on Network Hierarchy | Category 1E: Emergency 2 Hour response Category 1: Imminent Urgent < 32 Hour Response, ensure highway is safe with signs/guarding or temporary repair |
Infill with Bituminous Material Hierarchy 2,3,4 & 5 Category 2a Scheduled – short term 7 Days Hierarchy 6,7,8 & 9 Category 2b Scheduled- medium term 28 Days |
Low - |
Greater than 300mm Wide AND Greater than 20mm Deep | Response based on Network Hierarchy | Category 1E: Emergency 2 Hour response Category 1: Imminent Urgent <32 Hour Response, ensure highway is safe with signs/guarding or temporary repair |
Infill with Bituminous Material Hierarchy 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 & 9 Category 2b Scheduled- medium term 28 Days |
Number of potholes filled in 2025-26 (estimate): 11,123
| Planned repair / patching programmes | Planned structural maintenance programmes | Reactive repair using temporary repair methods | Reactive repair using permanent repair methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| None - dealt with through Reactive repair using permanent repair methods and response times | None - dealt with through Reactive repair using permanent repair methods and response times | 1,488 | 9,635 |
Our reported figures relate to defects that have been raised as potholes, either through routine highway inspections undertaken by the Authority or via reports received from the public. The figures provide an indication of the volume of pothole defects identified and addressed across the network.
In addition to the number of potholes repaired, we monitor the type of treatment used to resolve each defect and seek to maximise the use of permanent repairs wherever possible. In response to feedback from residents and the experiences of our technical and operational staff, the Service has adopted a permanent repairs policy and a "right first time" approach, particularly on the higher categories of the highway network. This approach reduces the need for repeat visits, improves value for money, and delivers longer-lasting outcomes for highway users.
All operational staff have received guidance on the permanent repairs policy. The move away from temporary, lower-cost treatments was influenced by stakeholder feedback regarding repeat failures and by lessons learned from previous maintenance activities. To support this approach, one of our fleet vehicles has been adapted with a mobile hot box, allowing hot materials to be transported to rural locations and enabling permanent pothole repairs to be undertaken more effectively across the network.
Whilst reactive repairs remain necessary to address safety-critical defects, the Service seeks to keep these to a minimum through targeted capital investment programmes. Planned patching and resurfacing schemes are used to treat areas that have deteriorated beyond the point where routine repairs remain cost effective. These interventions provide a longer-term solution, reducing future revenue maintenance liabilities, minimising the need for expensive reactive repairs, and helping to reduce the risk of third-party claims.
| Unit/average cost of a permanent pothole repair on your network (reactive) | £61.81 Planned | Unit/average cost of a temporary pothole repair on your network (reactive) | £89.58 Reactive |
Dorset uses the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) ALARM Survey 2026 as the basis for estimating pothole repair costs. The survey is a nationally recognised benchmark, drawing on data from local highway authorities across England and providing a consistent basis for comparison. It identifies an average cost of £61.81 for planned pothole repairs and £89.58 for reactive repairs, with an overall average cost of £78.45 per repair, including labour and materials. Dorset considers the survey an appropriate and robust source, as it reflects national practice and demonstrates the cost and efficiency benefits of planned, preventative highway maintenance.
| Question | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Do you set requirements to those delivering repairs about the longevity of both a) planned repairs/patching and b) reactive repairs using permanent methods? | No |
| If yes, do you base your material and process specifications on these longevity requirements? | No |
| Do you regularly monitor the appropriateness of the carriageway interventions chosen by your workforce or contractor and the quality of work delivered? | Yes |
| If yes, do you systematically record information about expected and delivered longevity of repairs? | No |
Dorset monitors the quality of reactive pothole repairs through a combination of trained and competent operatives, photographic records of completed repairs, and operational oversight by four Area Construction Delivery Managers responsible for maintenance activities across Dorset. Completed works are reviewed through management oversight, customer feedback, repeat defect reporting and performance monitoring, enabling the identification of any locations where repairs may not be performing as expected. Where concerns are identified, repairs are investigated and, where necessary, remedial action instructed. This provides a proportionate and effective approach to ensuring that reactive highway repairs are completed safely, effectively and to the required standard.
Reactive highway repairs are undertaken by trained and competent operatives who are provided with appropriate guidance, instruction and supervision to ensure works are completed in accordance with established highway maintenance practices. Operatives follow approved repair methods, specifications and work instructions designed to promote consistency, safety and durability across the highway network.
Area Construction Delivery Managers undertake regular site visits as part of their operational responsibilities, providing direct oversight of maintenance activities and opportunities to review completed repairs. Photographic and electronic work records are retained for completed repairs, creating an auditable record that can be reviewed where required.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are defect reports from the public routinely used as an input into maintenance planning and inspection regimes? | Yes |
| Do you inform users about the outcomes from their feedback, including when no action is to be taken? | Yes |
Dorset Council uses a web-based reporting system that enables residents to report potholes and other highway defects online. Reports are logged directly into the Council’s management system, assigned a reference number, and tracked through to resolution. Public reports are reviewed, risk assessed and used to support maintenance planning, inspections and prioritisation of works. Customers receive progress updates where contact details are provided and are informed of outcomes, including when repairs are completed, no further action is required, or responsibility lies with another organisation.
Dorset Council use Report a problem on a road or pavement - Dorset Council, via our website, allowing residents to report potholes and other highway defects and also Track Highways Enquiry - Dorset Council self-service portal. A 24-hour highways line exists for urgent defects and out of hours.
Please set out information about other highway structures and assets
| Number of highway structures on your highway network | 1350 |
|---|---|
| Number of highway structures with interim measures in accordance with CS470 applied? | 6 |
| Number of structures due a General Inspection in 2025 to 26 in accordance with CS450 | 719 |
| Number of General Inspections carried out in 2025 to 26 | 656 |
| Number of structures due a Principal Inspection in 2025 to 26 in accordance with CS450 | 17 |
| Number of Principal Inspections carried out in 2025 to 26 | 17 |
This section focuses on asset management practices key documents and how Dorset plans, prioritises and delivers highways maintenance. And has been completed in accordance with the asset management condition set out in the 2026 to 27 local highways maintenance incentive funding requirements.
Please confirm that you understand the answers provided in this section (B5.1) relate to your compliance under the 2026-27 local highways maintenance incentive funding requirements, as set out to your authority via letter to your chief executive in April and as published online: Yes
Please provide a link to your authority’s published highways asset management policy and strategy: Dorset Council Highways Asset Management Strategy V1 Jan 22.
Please provide the date it was last reviewed or updated: January 2022
Please provide proof of the review or update:
The most recent revision of the Dorset Council Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP) was presented to Cabinet and approved on 1 March 2022. Further details can be found in the associated Cabinet Report HAMP Review 22 which supported the adoption of the updated plan. Decision for Highways Asset Management Plan
Dorset Council’s current Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Policy, Strategy and Plan were last formally reviewed in 2022. A comprehensive review is underway, supported by WSP, with outline draft documents already completed.
Final draft documents are scheduled for completion before January 2027. This will be followed by governance review and formal approval during spring/summer 2027. The updated Policy and Strategy will be formally adopted and published before the 30 September 2027 deadline.
The revised Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Strategy strengthens Dorset Council’s asset management framework by embedding a risk-based, evidence led approach to investment and maintenance decisions. It will reinforce key principles including lifecycle planning, whole life value, network resilience, climate adaptation, carbon reduction, biodiversity enhancement and data-driven decision making.
The strategy also places greater emphasis on performance management, stakeholder engagement, continuous improvement and the use of digital technologies to improve asset knowledge and forecasting. Together, the updated Policy, Strategy and Plan provide a golden thread from corporate priorities through to operational delivery, supporting sustainable long-term management of Dorset’s highway infrastructure.
| Asset type | Asset inventory held. (None / partial / full) | Condition data held. (None / Partial / Full) |
|---|---|---|
| Carriageways | Yes | Full |
| Footways and cycleways | Yes | Partial |
| Structures | Yes | Partial |
| Drainage assets | Partial | Partial |
| Street lighting | N/A | N/A |
| Traffic signals | Yes | Yes |
The Council has a strong foundation of asset information, with comprehensive carriageway data covering all classifications and complete, well-maintained traffic signal records. Street lighting is effectively managed through a PFI partnership with Enerveo Ltd. While footway, cycleway, drainage and retaining wall records are not yet fully complete, ongoing improvement programmes are steadily enhancing coverage and condition information. Drainage data is particularly robust for assets such as gullies and grips, supported by targeted pipe run surveys at known hotspots. The expanding use of digital camera-based surveys is further strengthening asset knowledge and helping to close remaining data gaps.
Dorset Council manages highway asset inventory and condition data through integrated asset management systems, including Confirm and Horizons. These platforms support asset records, condition assessments, lifecycle planning and risk-based investment decisions across the highways service. Data from inspections, surveys and digital camera-based technologies is increasingly integrated to strengthen asset intelligence and improve decision making. Building on this strong foundation, the Council is implementing a new enterprise-grade asset management platform that will deliver a single system, whole service approach, providing enhanced functionality, improved data integration, streamlined business processes and greater consistency in the management of all highway asset groups.
| Question | Yes / No |
|---|---|
| Do you use lifecycle plans for carriageways to support maintenance investment decisions? | Yes |
| Do you use lifecycle plans for footways to support maintenance investment decisions? | Yes |
| Do you use lifecycle plans for structures to support investment decisions? | Yes |
Dorset Council uses lifecycle planning to inform investment decisions as part of its asset management framework. Carriageways, lifecycle modelling is undertaken using our road condition data and Horizons asset management software to predict deterioration, identify optimum intervention points and assess funding scenarios. Footway investment requirements were assessed through lifecycle planning using the UKRLG Footway Lifecycle Planning Toolkit, informing long term funding needs and maintenance strategies. Structures, bridge condition data and lifecycle investment scenarios are used to model future asset performance, maintenance backlogs and funding requirements, supporting risk-based investment decisions and forward programme development.
Dorset Council Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you have a defined set of key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the outcomes of your highway’s asset management approach? | Yes |
| Are these KPIs reviewed on a regular basis (at least annually)? | Yes |
| Are KPI trends used to inform maintenance planning, prioritisation or changes to forward programmes or investment decisions? | Yes |
| Have you conducted a value for money review or peer review of your service in the last 3 years | Yes |
Dorset Highways operates a robust performance monitoring using a corporate Highways Performance Dashboard, against 16 service defined KPIs.
KPI performance is monitored monthly and formally reviewed through quarterly Management Reviews (Highways, Engineering and Transport performance meetings).
Independent benchmarking and reviews to demonstrate value for money are undertaken through National Highways & Transport (NHT) CQC/Normalised Cost reporting annually. In 2024 Proving Services were commissioned to undertake an independent review of our operating model, and to complete a Value for Money assessment.
Together, these internal and external assessments provide necessary challenge and assurance, helping to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of our operations while informing continuous service improvement and the delivery of value for money.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you have a defined footway hierarchy (e.g. based on footway function and usage levels) that underpins a risk‑based approach to inspection frequencies and maintenance programmes? | Yes |
| For 2026-27, please provide the length of footways that you have earmarked for structural maintenance / reconstruction / renewal | 6km |
| For 2026-27, please provide the length of footways that you have earmarked for preventative maintenance treatments | 13.57km |
| Are priority footways and cycleways included in your winter service (e.g. gritting or snow clearance), and in a routine programme for keeping them clear of overgrown vegetation and debris (e.g. sweeping, cutting back)? | No |
| For 2026-27, are you planning to deliver structural or preventative maintenance to cycleways which is not yet covered as part of your carriageway maintenance programmes or footway maintenance programmes (e.g. segregated cycleways that are not shared with pedestrians or motorists). If yes, please set out the length of such cycleways that you have earmarked for: | Yes |
| a. Structural maintenance / reconstruction (in km) | 2km |
| b. Preventative maintenance treatments (in km) | 0km |
Dorset Council adopts a risk-based approach to maintaining footways and cycleways, defined through asset hierarchies and inspection regimes. Investment in 2026/27 includes structural maintenance, preventative treatments such as footway slurry sealing and localised footway and cycleway reconstruction schemes to improve and extend the condition of the asset. We are reviewing our footway and cycleway hierarchies and trialling camera-based survey technology to improve the quality of condition data and support stronger evidence led investment decisions.
Maintaining and improving these assets supports Dorset Council's objectives to promote active travel, improve health and wellbeing, reduce congestion, and contribute to environmental and climate ambitions.
Dorset Council manages approximately 2,640km of footways using a hierarchy-based, risk-led approach set out in the Dorset Highways Code of Practice for the Classification of Highway Safety Defects & Hazards.
Planned investment of £1.195 million in 2026/27 will deliver structural and preventative maintenance to footways and cycleways, supported by Department for Transport funding and additional corporate investment of £360,000. To support maintenance programmes focussed on the provision of safe, accessible infrastructure for walking and cycling.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Please provide an estimate of your drainage maintenance expenditure split (in percentages) between: | |
| a. Reactive (incident- or failure-driven) maintenance | 45% |
| b. Planned maintenance (routine/cyclical and/or risk-based) | 55% |
| Does your authority utilise a digital drainage management platform, covering asset inventory, inspection history, sensor data, and risk scoring? | Yes |
| Do you maintain a record of locations where drainage issues are known to cause or contribute to carriageway deterioration or surface water ponding? | Yes |
| Do you utilise smart sensors or other remote monitoring technologies to monitor performance of your drainage assets. If yes, please provide some high-level information in bullet points below | No |
Dorset Council manages drainage assets through its Confirm asset management system, which holds drainage inventory, inspection records, flooding enquiries and maintenance history. A record of known flooding hotspot’s locations and resilience critical drainage assets is maintained to prioritise investigations and maintenance activities.
The authority has a risk-based approach to drainage maintenance on our resilient network using flood reports, silt levels, flood mapping and asset data. While remote sensors are not currently deployed, emerging technologies in remote camera systems are being evaluated to support future asset monitoring and early intervention.
Dorset Council recognises the increasing impact of climate change and more frequent intense rainfall events on the highway drainage network. Drainage asset management is focused on protecting network resilience through a combination of planned and reactive risk-based maintenance and investment.
To strengthen flood resilience, Cabinet approved an additional £5.25 million investment, comprising £5 million to address known flooding hotspots and repair storm damaged infrastructure, and £250,000 for an additional dedicated gully cleaning team. This investment will be delivered through a phased programme of prioritised schemes, providing long-term improvements to drainage performance, flood resilience and network reliability.
Question |
Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you have an up-to-date training and development plan for those responsible for highways asset management in your authority? | Yes |
| Do you or your main highways contractors support professional development through a recognised professional training scheme (e.g. Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) or Institution of Highway Engineers (IHE))? | Yes |
| Does your authority contribute towards the cost of professional membership or professional development required for relevant highways roles? | No |
| Do you employ a professionally qualified engineer (e.g. Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent competence) with responsibility for the management of highway structures (either in house or through a contracted arrangement)? | Yes |
| Does your authority define competence requirements for key highways asset management roles and take steps to address any identified gaps (either directly or through contractual arrangements)? | Yes |
| Do you or your main contractors support early career development in your local area, for example through apprentice schemes, traineeships or pre-apprenticeship programmes, sponsored qualifications (e.g. HNC/HND, degree, MSc), graduate schemes etc | Yes |
Dorset Council maintains an up-to-date training and development framework for officers involved in highways asset management, with competency requirements identified for key roles and development needs addressed through annual appraisal and workforce planning processes.
The Council and its principal highways contractors actively support professional development, including recognised professional training schemes and pathways to professional registration. Professionally qualified engineers are employed to provide specialist oversight of highway structures management.
Dorset Council also supports the development of future talent through apprenticeship, trainee and graduate opportunities, alongside sponsored vocational and higher education qualifications where appropriate, helping to maintain a skilled and sustainable highways workforce.
Dorset Highways maintains a structured, role-based training and development programme, supported by a service-wide training matrix that identifies the mandatory and desirable competencies for each role. Front-line operational staff benefit from access to an in-house IOSH-qualified trainer who delivers a range of practical and plant-related training, including excavator, dumper and small plant operation, helping to ensure skills remain current and consistent.
The service actively supports workforce development through apprenticeships (including pathways to employment), degree apprenticeships and higher-level qualifications, including HNC, degree and master's programmes. This includes Construction Delivery apprentices undertaking technical training alongside operational experience. Dorset Highways also offers industry placement opportunities where available and participates in the ICE Graduate Development Programme. In addition, the service supports colleagues working towards professional accreditation and continuing professional development through relevant professional institutions, helping to build capability, resilience and succession across the organisation.
| Question | Yes/no |
|---|---|
| Have you updated your asset management policy and strategy to reflect the increased probability of extreme-weather and/or geohazards now and in the future? | Yes |
| Have you identified your resilient network and agree this with senior decision-makers | Yes |
| If yes, when did you last update this. | 09/2026 |
| Have you identified locations that are repeatedly affected by extreme weather (e.g. flooding, heat damage, storms)? | Yes |
| Which climate‑adaptation measures are currently implemented on your network? | |
| Targeted drainage upgrades or maintenance | Yes |
| Natural flood management / SuDS | Yes |
| targeted slope / ground stability / landslip mitigation | Yes |
| Heat‑resilient materials or surface treatments | Yes |
| Tree planting / shading for heat management | Yes |
Understanding and mitigating our climate risks To address the risks our network faces from the changing climate and to enhance resilience:
|
Yes |
| None of the above | |
| Have you measured and benchmarked the greenhouse gas emissions from your highways maintenance service using a recognised industry standard? Or do you have arrangements in place to do this, such as by signing up to the DfT funded ADEPT Carbon Leadership Programme. | Yes |
| Have you formally engaged with the DfT funded ADEPT live labs 2 Programme, to understand what lessons your authority can utilise to increase the efficiency of your operations and support decarbonisation efforts? | Yes |
Dorset Council participated in the ADEPT Carbon Leadership Programme (CLP) for 2024/25 and has already committed to the DfT-funded programme for 2025/26. Through the recognised ADEPT Carbon Measurement and Management framework, we completed a Carbon Best Practice Assessment, Carbon Footprint Assessment and detailed Carbon Footprint Report. This has enabled us to measure and benchmark emissions from our highways maintenance service against peer authorities, identify best practice, and better understand sector challenges. Early completion demonstrates Dorset Council’s commitment to measuring, managing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in support of net zero objectives.
Reducing carbon emissions from highway maintenance activities is a key priority for our highways service and supports Dorset Council's wider commitment to tackling climate change and achieving net zero ambitions. We are actively decarbonising our operations through a range of initiatives designed to reduce emissions from materials, plant, vehicles and service delivery.
Our approach includes increasing the use of lower-carbon materials wherever practical and appropriate, promoting active travel options for both staff and residents, and optimising works programmes to minimise travel distances, vehicle movements and associated emissions. We are also transitioning our operational fleet to cleaner alternatives, including the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and electric vehicles.
Innovation plays an important role in our carbon reduction programme. We have the UK's first fully solar-powered hot box for storing bituminous materials, significantly reducing emissions associated with maintenance operations. In addition, we are increasing the use of electric hand tools and small plant to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Our winter maintenance service also adopts a route-based approach that minimises spreading activities and unnecessary vehicle movements, helping to reduce fuel consumption. Together, these measures are delivering tangible reductions in the carbon footprint of our highways service.
| Question | Yes / No |
|---|---|
| Do your procurement and contracting approaches encourage and reward innovative practice? | Yes |
| Can you demonstrate that innovative materials and practices are regularly reviewed and, where appropriate, integrated into business-as-usual operations? | Yes |
| If you have conducted innovation trials, have you shared the findings of these publicly or with professional networks? | Yes |
Dorset Council promotes innovation through its risk-based asset management approach, aligned with Well-managed Highway Infrastructure guidance. Innovation is focused on reducing carbon emissions, improving asset performance, enhancing safety and increasing efficiency. Initiatives include the use of lower-carbon materials, HVO fuel, electric vehicles, electric plant and the UK's first fully solar-powered hot box for bituminous materials. Dorset regularly reviews and trials new technologies and treatments, including asphalt rejuvenation, in-situ recycling, micro asphalt, ultra-thin surfacing, screed patching and erosion protection solutions. Findings are shared through professional networks including LCRIG, the South West Highways Alliance (SWHA), industry forums and supplier case studies.
Innovation is central to Dorset Council's highway service and is essential to meeting both the Council's net-zero ambitions and the increasing challenges posed by climate change. Our approach focuses on reducing carbon emissions, improving network resilience, extending asset life and delivering better value through good asset management. As weather extremes place greater pressure on highway assets, we continue to adopt innovative materials, technologies and maintenance techniques that enhance performance while reducing environmental impact.
Dorset is always keen to trial and then adopt innovations in highway maintenance treatments that reduce resource consumption, waste and future maintenance demands.
Examples of innovations that have been adopted
Examples of the innovations we have adopted into operational use. Dorset Council actively embraces innovation to improve network performance, reduce whole-life costs, enhance safety and support the Council's carbon reduction and climate change objectives. The following examples demonstrate five innovations that have successfully progressed beyond trial phases and are now embedded within routine highway operations.
Dorset Council introduced the UK's first fully solar-powered, all-electric asphalt hot box at Charminster Depot. The unit stores hot asphalt for pothole repairs and patching works and replaces a traditional propane-gas-powered system. The hot box is powered entirely by solar energy generated from photovoltaic panels installed at the depot.
The technology is part of Dorsets daily operational use and forms part of our wider decarbonisation of highways operations programme, supported by solar panel installations across Charminster, Ferndown and Wareham highways depots.
Following successful trials, Dorset Council has incorporated in-situ recycling fully into its structural maintenance toolkit. The process recycles existing carriageway material on site, reducing the need for imported aggregates and removal of waste materials. During 2026, Dorset further enhanced the process through the introduction of calcined clay as a lower-carbon alternative to traditional cementitious binders.
Approximately 90,000m² of carriageway was treated during the 2026 programme, making it the largest programme of its kind in Europe. Following successful trials, in-situ recycling is now a core component of Dorset's end of life carriageway renewal strategy.
Dorset Council successfully trialled screed patching product as an early-life intervention treatment for carriageway deterioration. The process seals and repairs defects at an early stage, preventing further deterioration and delaying the need for more extensive structural repairs.
The treatment has transitioned fully from trial to operational delivery. Dorset has purchased specialist equipment rather than continuing to lease it, embedding screed patching within annual capital maintenance programmes. Following proven success, programme delivery is being expanded further during 2026/27 through additional plant investment and increased treatment volumes.
Following a successful trial, asphalt rejuvenation has been adopted as a preventative maintenance treatment within Dorset's highway asset management strategy. The process restores aged asphalt by replenishing lost oils and improving material flexibility, thereby slowing deterioration.
Asphalt rejuvenation is now fully incorporated within Dorset's structural maintenance toolkit and preventative maintenance programmes. Its use has expanded significantly as part of the Council's asset lifecycle approach, with treatment areas increasing in 2026/27 to maximise network longevity and value for money.
Following successful fleet trials, Dorset Council has adopted Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a replacement for diesel across the majority of its non-electric operational fleet. HVO is produced from recycled vegetable oils, waste oils and animal fats and can be used without major modifications to vehicles.
Approximately 75% of Dorset Council's non-electric fleet is transitioning to HVO, including highways lorries, tippers, vans and operational vehicles. More than 500 vehicles are planned to operate using HVO, making it one of the largest fleet decarbonisation programmes within the highways service.
These innovations demonstrate Dorset Council's commitment to embedding innovation into routine service delivery rather than treating it as isolated trials. Asphalt rejuvenation, screed patching and in-situ recycling have all successfully moved from trial phases into mainstream operational use and now form key elements of Dorset's preventative maintenance, asset preservation and structural renewal strategies. The scale of deployment for all three treatments has increased during 2026/27, reflecting confidence in their ability to improve network performance, extend asset life, reduce whole-life costs and contribute to the Council's climate change and net-zero ambitions.
| Question | Yes / No |
|---|---|
| Do you routinely monitor and enforce utility works quality as part of your streetworks management? | Yes |
| Have you undertaken a senior‑endorsed assessment of whether a lane rental scheme would be suitable for your area? | Yes |
| Do you seek input from utility companies when determining your highways maintenance programme to help reduce disruption? | Yes |
| Have you conducted and published a permit scheme evaluation within the last three years? | Yes |
| Have you conducted a traffic sensitive review in the last three years? | Yes |
Dorset Council's permit scheme is in its sixth year. The scheme was introduced in January 2020 and is based on the Traffic Management Act 2004 and related regulations. It applies to all roadworks on public streets in the county.
The permit scheme has significantly reduced disruption. While the scheme has stabilised since its introduction, minor improvements can still be made. Increases in permit fees should help make the scheme more cost-effective in the future.
The total occupation of the highway in Year 5 was 49,165 days, Year 6 showed a reduction to 46,213 days (Nearly 3,000 days less occupation).
Dorset Council’s permitting scheme processed 29,692 permit and variation applications, with 16% from Dorset Highways and 84% from external promoters. 76% were granted first time, fewer than 19% were refused, and just 0.1% were deemed.
Improved planning enabled 89% of works to receive permanent reinstatement during the initial phase, reducing costs, disruption and repeat visits. Instances of collaborative working in Year 6 were 171, lower than Year 5 but higher than Year 1.
Year 6 achieved a 31% reduction in network occupancy (46,213 vs 67,501 days), delivering a BCR of 14.9 and NPV of £10.96m, far exceeding DfT value-for-money thresholds.
| Question | Yes / No |
|---|---|
| Does your authority retain in‑house technical capability to independently assess maintenance interventions proposed by contractors? | Yes |
| Do you routinely analyse actual unit costs (for example £/m² of road surface treatments, or £/pothole repair) for core highways maintenance activities delivered under contract and compare them against benchmarks or historic performance? | Yes |
| Do you have defined KPIs for your highway’s maintenance contract(s), and are they actively monitored by your authority to manage performance? | Yes |
| If reactive pothole repairs are delivered by a contractor, do your contracting arrangements incentivise single‑visit permanent repairs where it is safe and appropriate to do so? | No |
Dorset retains in-house technical expertise to independently assess and challenge maintenance interventions, ensuring treatments are appropriate, cost-effective and aligned with asset management objectives. The service routinely monitors unit costs for key maintenance activities and compares performance against historical data and industry benchmarks, including the NHT Cost, Quality, Customer Efficiency (CQC) Network, to support value for money and continuous improvement.
Contract performance is managed through a suite of defined KPIs, which are regularly monitored and reviewed by Council officers.
Dorset delivers reactive pothole repairs through its in-house workforce, as such these activities are not subject to contractor incentive mechanisms. However, repair quality, productivity and operational performance remain subject to ongoing management review, and performance monitoring.
Dorset Council maintains robust operational and performance management arrangements to support delivery of highway maintenance activities. Monthly and quarterly performance reviews are undertaken to monitor service performance, productivity, quality and value for money.
The service promotes a "right first time" approach, seeking to deliver permanent repairs at the earliest opportunity where appropriate, reducing repeat visits and minimising whole-life costs. Customer enquiries reported defects and complaints are routinely monitored to identify trends and inform service improvements. Where contracted services are used, performance is reviewed through quarterly operational groups and strategic boards, providing oversight of delivery, financial performance, continuous improvement initiatives and compliance with the Council's asset management objectives.
