Local authorities
across England have been given advice on how to tackle the problem
of potholes on their roads following the publication of a review
commissioned by Local Transport Minister Norman Baker.
The Pothole Review – part of the Coalition Government’s £6m
Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme - looks at how best to
fix potholes once they have formed but also how to prevent them
from appearing in the first place. The recommendations for Central
Government, local highway authorities and the highways sector fall
into three main themes:
· Prevention is better than cure – intervening at the
right time will reduce the amount of potholes forming and prevent
bigger problems later.
· Right First Time – do it once and get it right, rather
than face continuous bills.
· Clarity for the public – local highway authorities
need to communicate to the public what is being done and how it is
being done.
Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said:
“We all know the misery that potholes can cause to highway users
and local communities and the recent series of harsh winters has
only served to intensify the situation.
“We’ve given £3 billion to councils for road maintenance over the
next four years but money can only go so far and the old adage
rings true: prevention is indeed better than cure.
“I would urge all those involved with highways maintenance,
including councillors, chief executives, local highway
practitioners, those in the utility sector and contractors to
adopt the approaches set out in this report, not only to make real
cost savings but also to provide a high quality service that both
the road user and local residents deserve.”
Today’s Review investigates the issue of potholes from an
engineering perspective plus explores the wider issues around
potholes, including public expectations, the impact of long term
maintenance strategies, decision making arrangements, the
processes of reporting, prioritising and repairing, guidance and
wider operational arrangements within local highways authorities.
Matthew Lugg, President of the Association of Directors of
Economy, Environment, Planning and Transport, who led the Pothole
Review, said:
“This Review has focused on key principles and strategies to
reduce potholes in the future. There are a number of key
recommendations, which when implemented by the highway sector will
lead to more effective outcomes for the highway users and the
economy. I would encourage all parties to take on board the
recommendations. I am thankful for the help and assistance that
was provided by colleagues from both the public and private sector
including key stakeholder organisations.”
Notes to Editors
The final report can be found at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/pothole-review
Today’s final report follows on from the progress report which
was published through the Highways Maintenance Efficiency
Programme (HMEP) in December 2011:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/potholes-review-progress-report
The Pothole Review has been carried out by the HMEP, which is a
sector-led transformation programme to maximise returns from
highways investment and deliver efficient and effective highway
maintenance services. The programme is sponsored by the Department
for Transport who is providing £6m funding to provide the tools
and opportunities to help the sector build on existing good
practice and collaboration between public and private partners.
The key themes promoted by the programme are greater
collaboration, adoption of asset management principles,
benchmarking & performance and procurement, contracting
and standardisation. HMEP will provide practical guidance on
efficiencies that will be of interest to local authorities,
supplier organisations and representative bodies:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/local-authorities/hmep/
Press Enquiries: 020 7944 3066
Out of Hours: 020 7944 4292 Public
Enquiries: 0300 330 3000 Department for
Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk
www.twitter.com/transportgovuk
| www.youtube.com/transportgovuk
| www.flickr.com/transportgovuk
Contacts:
DfT Press Office - Local Transport
Phone: DfT Press Office
020 7944 3066
nds.dft@coi.gsi.gov.uk