Our service statements (Highways)

As the highways authority for MK we have a statutory duty to keep the public highway safe. These service statements set out what, when and how we will do this.

A service statement sets out our standards and criteria for repairs on the highway.

Service statement: traffic signals

We will

  • carry out routine inspection surveys and maintenance of our traffic signals and controlled crossings
  • carry out both reactive and planned maintenance at these signals
  • respond to reports of minor issues with signals, normally within 24 hours
  • at complex junctions the traffic signals are programmed to automatically adjust flows according to traffic conditions, these systems are also checked and monitored.
  • provide a 24-hour response service and will normally attend to emergencies within 2 hours. 
  • make safe any damaged traffic lights e.g. from a ‘Road Traffic Collision’ (RTC) or vandalism as an emergency action We will then work to re-build the traffic signals to return them back to fully working order as soon as we can. The repair may take time if there is extensive damage due to the bespoke nature of the materials.                                

As with any failure of traffic signals, until the traffic signals are restored to their full working order, the junction will have additional signs and cones so that the junction can operate as safely as possible with approaching traffic giving way to the right.

Extra care should be taken when approaching the junction as the 'white line' road markings are designed to work in conjunction with the traffic signals.

During this period, the signal heads will be covered and additional signage will be in place.

Service statement: controlled crossings

We will

  • carry out routine inspection surveys and maintenance of our controlled crossings (zebra, pelican, wig-wags)
  • carry out both reactive and planned maintenance at these signals as necessary following these surveys
  • respond to reports of minor issues with crossings, normally within 24 hours
  • will provide a 24-hour response service and will normally attend to emergencies within 2 hours. 
  • we will make safe any damage to a controlled crossing and work to return the crossing back to normal use as soon as is possible. It is also worth noting that some damage requires specialist repairs or materials which may take longer to resolve.

Service statement: road gullies

We will

  • maintain the gullies so they can effectively remove road surface water 
  • respond to blocked gullies and monitor hotspots (you can report this using the Report It section on the main Hub page)
  • inspect and clean all drainage grids and grilles annually 
  • inspect, clean and clear all drainage grips (a shallow ditch to help water drain from the road) as part of our annual maintenance
  • clean council-maintained ditches on an annual basis these are: Deethe Close in Woburn Sands, Lower Weald, Orchard Way in Stoke Goldington and Tathall End
  • provide a 24-7 emergency service to respond to drainage emergencies

How our service is evaluated

Each year the National Highways & Transport Network (NHT) asks a sample of the public from across MK to take part in a survey to tell them how satisfied with the condition of the highways and our overall service.

The results are published nationally as a performance league table for all local highways authorities across the UK.

Read more about the National Highways & Transport Network (NHT) or look at the latest survey data 'Me vs Everyone'.