A Year of the Pothole Hit Squad: 5,000 potholes repaired

It was a year ago this month that we introduced a new, 'rapid response' Pothole Hit Squad service in order to repair more potholes, more efficiently, right across the Borough. We invested in new equipment which sees vehicles carrying a mobile 'hot box,' keeping the tar hot and ready to use while the teams are out and about. After years and years of chronic underinvestment in our roads, we have made huge efforts in the fightback to make our roads safe for all road users, and the improved pothole repair work sits alongside the increased resurfacing work as a key part of this drive.

As the teams mark a year in operation, new figures show they filled more than 5,000 potholes during 2011 - nearly three times the number repaired in 2010. A number of authorities now have similar mobile teams, after we were one of the first to introduce them twelve months ago. The repairs they carry out are permanent and they are designed to last, and it is very pleasing that we have been able to improve and increase this service thanks to a new, more efficient way of working.

I want to thank our teams for the hard work they do out in all conditions repairing our roads for the benefit of all road users.

You can report a pothole by contacting the Highways Helpdesk on 01234 718003.