Technical annex 2026/27 - Local highways maintenance transparency report

9.0 Adapting roads to withstand climate pressures

Climate and environmental factors, such as heavy rainfall, prolonged heat, and freeze-thaw cycles, are integral to effective highways asset management, as they influence asset performance, deterioration rates and long-term resilience. Understanding both the impacts of a changing climate and the carbon implications of maintenance activities supports better decision-making, helping authorities to optimise durability, manage risk and deliver best whole life value from their assets.

ID

Question

Yes/No

9.1.1

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?

No

9.1.2

Have you identified your resilient network and agree this with senior decision-makers

Yes

9.1.3

If yes when did you last update this.

08/2025

9.1.4

Have you identified locations that are repeatedly affected by extreme weather (e.g. flooding, heat damage, storms)?

Yes – formally recorded

9.1.5

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

No

 
  • Heat‑resilient materials or surface treatments

No

 
  • Tree planting / shading for heat management

Yes

 
  • Other (please specify)

No

 
  • None of the above

Yes / No

9.1.6

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.

No

9.1.7

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?

No

9.1.8 Evidence summary

 HBC resilient network policy can be found via the following link.

9.1.9 Further context on your adaptation / resilience activities

The HBC Asset Management Plan currently does not currently contain a formalised strategy for extreme weather but we do follow ‘informal’ procedures in the event of severe weather including flood warning signs deployment, increased inspections of known problem areas, increased gully cleaning / channel maintenance of areas prone to flood risk, focus of maintenance staff in flood affected areas when required and inclusion of such localities within the monthly flooding meetings. It is anticipated that this process will be formally documented within the Asset Management Plan during late 2026 / early 2027.

Hartlepool Borough Council are set to receive a grant to allow strategic tree planting throughout the Borough, it is anticipated that some of the areas will be chosen to aid protection to the highways asset either by restricting verge parking or the introduction of  shade implementation.