Asset Management Plan - Newcastle City Council

Footways & Cycleways Life Cycle Plan15.8 Risk Management– Footways and CyclewaysRisk is 'the threat that an event or action can adversely affect an organisation’s ability toachieve its objectives and tosuccessfully execute its strategies’(Audit Commission). A simpler definitionmight be ‘the chance of somethinghappening that will have an impact onobjectives’.A risk identification exercise has beenundertaken and a risk register andmatrix scoring system has beendeveloped and is attached to thisdocument as appendix B. The followingare examples of the significant risksassociated with this asset.15.8.1 The most common risk with footways is that associated with the trip hazardcaused by:♦♦♦Uneven or rocking slabs in a flagged footwayPotholes in a bituminous footwayUneven or rocking kerbsThis could result in serious or minor injury, which could lead to a significant financialimplication for:♦♦Compensation claimsRepairs to footwayConsequential costs could be:♦Poor public image of the CouncilThis risk can be mitigated by regular safety inspections of all footways and cycleways,which lead to necessary repairs being carried out in a timely fashion, and the carryingout of routine maintenance to prevent deterioration of the footway.15.8.2 Secondary risks include a number of partial failures:♦♦Inadequate drainage leading to flooding of the footway – this could lead topedestrians being put at risk by having to walk in the carriagewayBackfall and inadequate drainage leading to flooding of private propertyThis would lead to financial implications for:♦Compensation claims133