Highway safety inspection policy

Last updated: 7 June 2024

Appendix A - minimum recording levels

The table below sets out the Minimum Recording Levels for consideration by the inspector when identifying a defect. Defects which do not satisfy these criteria will not generally be recorded on a safety inspection unless the inspector deems it necessary to do so.

Minimum Recording Levels are provided as a guide only. Should the inspector, following risk assessment, deem it necessary to record any specific defect at a lower level, then they should do so.

Minimum recording levels have been developed over time having withstood challenge in the courts and so are deemed appropriate as evidenced by case law.

Highway asset

Carriageways

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Potholes and spalling	40mm or over depth and 300mm across in any direction)
Gaps and cracks	40mm or over depth, 20mm or over width
Crowning and depressions	50mm or over height/depth
Any other abrupt level difference in running surface (including ironwork)	40mm or over height/depth
Dislodged kerbs (no footway)	50mm or over horizontal displacement
Pedestrian crossing and other road markings significantly worn or faded	Markings worn out by 30% or more over the entire feature
Rocking slab or block	40mm or above vertical movement
Gaps within ironwork framework other than designed by manufacturer	25mm or over width

Cycle lanes (where on carriageway and specifically marked)

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Potholes and spalling	20mm or over depth (300mm across in any direction)
Gaps and cracks	20mm or over depth, 20mm or over width
Crowning and depressions	50mm or over height/depth
Any other abrupt level difference in running surface (including ironwork)	20mm or over height/depth
Dislodged kerbs (no footway)	50mm or over horizontal displacement
Pedestrian crossing and other road markings significantly worn or faded	Markings worn out by 30% or more over the entire feature
Rocking slab or block	20mm or above vertical movement
Gaps within ironwork framework other than designed by manufacturer	25mm or over width

Footways, cycle tracks and cycle trails

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Potholes and spalling	20mm or over depth
Gaps and cracks	20mm or over depth, 20mm or over width
Crowning and depressions	20mm or over height/depth
Any other abrupt level difference in running surface (including ironwork)	20mm or over height/depth
Dislodged kerbs	50mm or over horizontal displacement
Road markings worn or faded	Markings worn out by 30% or more over the entire feature
Rocking slab or block	20mm or above vertical movement
Gaps within ironwork framework other than designed by manufacturer	25mm or over width

Edges

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Sunken area adjacent to and parallel with carriageway or footway edge	75mm or over (urban areas) 150mm or over (rural areas)

Drainage

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Blocked gulley	Clearly blocked gulley with detritus to the surface or presence of grass or weeds
Standing water 2 or more hours after cessation of rainfall	Minimum of 1.5m from edge of carriageway

Overgrowth

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Overhanging trees or hedges leading to loss of height clearance over the carriageway, footway or cycleway.	<2.3m over footways <2.4m over cycleways <5.2m over carriageways
Encroachment onto road or footpath	Leaves insufficient width for safe passage
Trees	Visibly dangerous damaged trees over or adjacent to the carriageway or footway or with the potential to cause harm

Road signs

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Regulatory road signs (including illuminated signs and bollards)	Missing, illegible or significantly obscured

Graffiti

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Offensive graffiti	Where clearly visible from the highway and on highway asset

Safety fencing, parapets and guardrails

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Damage and missing	Missing vehicle restraint systems posts or rails, missing or significantly damaged pedestrian guard rails

Boundary walls and fences

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Damaged or missing	In a dangerous condition

Traffic signals and other ITS equipment

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Damaged	Lights not working or functioning correctly. Exposed electricity supply or in a dangerous structural condition or impinging on the carriageway

Street lights

Defect description	Minimum recording level
Damaged	Exposed electricity supply or in a dangerous structural condition or impinging on the carriageway