Skip to main content

Bid to solve pothole problem

The UK now has new guidance designed to ensure that when utilities companies dig up the road surface, they leave proper repairs once the work is complete. It is estimated that poorly replaced road surfaces mean there are around 90,000 remedial works each year, adding inconvenience to motorists and cyclists. Many of the road repairs are not properly carried out, increasing the risk of potholes forming and further defects. This significantly increases the risk of accidents and of damage to vehicles. The new l
July 3, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Road repairs not properly carried out increase the risk of potholes forming. This pothole, showing exposed wires to the traffic lights, is on a busy London road
The UK now has new guidance designed to ensure that when utilities companies dig up the road surface, they leave proper repairs once the work is complete.

It is estimated that poorly replaced road surfaces mean there are around 90,000 remedial works each year, adding inconvenience to motorists and cyclists.

Many of the road repairs are not properly carried out, increasing the risk of potholes forming and further defects. This significantly increases the risk of accidents and of damage to vehicles.

The new legislation is intended to reduce the chances of potholes developing as well as cutting down the risk that the road will have to be replaced a second time.

The UK government has set out a package of measures over the last nine months to reduce disruption caused by road works. These include proposals to increase the charges for companies whose works overrun by a factor of ten, as well as to improve signage and protection of sites and for a tougher street works inspection regime. In addition, the 5432 Department for Transport has introduced more rigorous testing and training for those who dig up the road as well as approving the first two street works permit schemes to help councils coordinate and manage works on their roads.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • “Record” cash for filling English potholes
    March 25, 2025
    The transport secretary also unveiled funding for 2025-26 for National Highways, the English road agency, to deliver critical road schemes and maintain motorways and critical major A-roads.
  • Software is tackling streetworks maintenance in the UK
    December 8, 2014
    In UK capital London, Tower Hamlets Council is implementing sophisticated computer software to improve the management and coordination of street works. The Internet hosted Mayrise Street Works system from Yotta is allowing the Tower Hamlets to respond to changes in street work legislation. The advanced software will also help the council implement new working practices including mobile working and achieve efficiency gains through more effective inspection regimes and streamlined reporting. Mayrise Street W
  • Software is tackling streetworks maintenance in the UK
    December 8, 2014
    In UK capital London, Tower Hamlets Council is implementing sophisticated computer software to improve the management and coordination of street works. The Internet hosted Mayrise Street Works system from Yotta is allowing the Tower Hamlets to respond to changes in street work legislation. The advanced software will also help the council implement new working practices including mobile working and achieve efficiency gains through more effective inspection regimes and streamlined reporting. Mayrise Street W
  • €14.47bn to fix England and Wales local road network, ALARM Survey claims
    April 3, 2014
    The 19th Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) Survey published today reports that the estimated cost to get England and Wales’ local road network back into reasonable condition has increased to €14.47 billion (£12 billion) from €12.06 billion (£10.5 billion) in 2013. For the second year in a row, more than two million potholes (2,010,749) were filled in England and Wales over the course of the previous year.