Issue - meetings

To consider the Council’s policy of removing highway rights from private streets and publicly maintained highways.

Consideration was given to the Council’s policy of removing existing highway rights from private streets and publicly maintained highways.  The aim of the policy was to reduce the need to maintain the highway at public expense where local residents wished to seek a Stopping Up Order and the highway rights were considered to be unnecessary.

RESOLVED

1. That the obligations of the highway authority, the implications of Stopping Up Orders and the emerging policy in this area be noted. 

2. The Cabinet, or the relevant Portfolio Holder, consider requests from residents who indicate a wish to remove the highway rights and extinguish general public access to highway within the Borough and, in cases where it is considered that the highway rights are unnecessary, and where the local residents agree to meet the necessary costs, will apply to the Magistrates’ Court for an order to stop up that length of the highway.   Each case will be considered on its own merits, which will include the level of support by local residents and the views of  Ward Members.