The district’s roads are benefiting from a sustained effort to identify and repair the damage caused by the unprecedented winter weather.
Since this year’s pothole repair campaign started on 25 January, the council’s teams have already repaired over 1,200 potholes compared to 3,200 over the whole of 2009.
This was made possible after the council put a plan in place to re-prioritise the existing highways maintenance budget and invest £350,000 to address the situation. With the numbers of potholes expected to reach twice the normal levels by the end of March, the council has increased the number of staff dedicated to tackling potholes by 50 per cent. These additional teams are working longer hours including through weekends to get the job done.
This approach is paying dividends with the rate of pothole repair increasing, the patching of an extra 3750sqm of road and the full resurfacing of an additional 2.5km of carriageway.
Cllr Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said: “We are determined to respond quickly and decisively to the problems that the severe winter has caused on our roads.
“We have made resources available to deploy extra teams to repair and patch potholes and our normal resurfacing programme is continuing.
“Our teams are working flat out to repair and improve the district’s highways and residents should hopefully have seen the benefits of this.
“But we know there is still more to do so I urge residents to contact us to report potholes in their area and our teams will get to them as soon as they can.”
Recently, the council’s teams have resurfaced Fouracre Road in Downend and Westerleigh Road, Yate, as well as Sandringham Road and parts of Ratcliffe Drive in Stoke Gifford, with a number of other busy routes in line for improvement soon.
Residents can report potholes by visiting the council’s website and click on ‘Spot holes’ Report a pot hole here – www.southglos.gov.uk/potholes – and filling in an online form or by ringing the Street Care helpdesk on 01454 868000.
Source: South Gloucestershire Council
