Thistleton Lane, South Witham - Find a freedom of information request

Please see questions below:

1. Why no cut between August 2021 and October 2021.

2. Did anyone from Highways visit Thistleton Lane? I would like a copy of their report?

3. Did any senior management in Highways signed off the report and agree the reply to me on 21 and 24 October 2022?

4. Highways are supposed to make four Safety and Service inspections each year along Thistleton Lane. 

I would like a copy of these inspection reports?

5. Did Mr Smith, Local Highways Manager - West, make a visit to Thistleton Lane? If yes, I would like a copy of his inspection report?

If no, why not? how can he make a judgement?

6. How can deep rooted vegetation which covers 1 metre strip very quickly after cutting is safe for user?

Please explain your reply. That we believe there is sufficient room for walkers and their dogs to walk on the verge within the 1m cut width.

7. Road verges are a public highway which has to be safe for all users. Not keeping it free of vegetation and safe to use, could Highways be in breach of Highways Act 1980.
 

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1. Thistleton Lane is part of maintenance area W086. This maintenance area was recorded as cut on our weekly updates from our Contractor, attached. LCC staff do random checks on all cyclic works which includes grass cutting but can’t check every road in the County. Unfortunately, Thistleton Lane was not included in the checks on the third rural cut for 2021/22.

2. An officer visited Thistleton Lane on 23.11.22. We do not produce site reports for every site visited however photographs were taken and observations given in an email sent to their line manager, attached.

3. Yes they were written by a manager.

4. We do not produce site reports for every site visited.

5. No. He made a judgement based on photographs and observations made by the officer who did the visit site

6. The verge was cut on 5th October and was still clear when an officer visited site on 23rd November. In rural areas footways can be 1m wide so this is judged to be sufficient to act as a refuge for safety reasons.

7. No. 

Should you require the attachments mentioned above please contact customerinformationservice@lincolnshire.gov.uk with the below reference number and these can be provided.