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

  • Advances in tyre technology boost performance
    February 7, 2017
    New tyre technology will increase productivity and cut downtime - Mike Woof writes Key advances in tyre technology will offer extended life for customers, as well as substantial gains in productivity and durability. Meanwhile, some major developments are also being seen in the market, with a number of smaller players now accounting for a substantial portion of sales. Important developments for tyre users include new strategies intended to improve tyre life and cut costs for consumers. One of the majo
    Read More
  • Rapid replacement of multiple bridges – the plan
    December 14, 2017
    The US State of Pennsylvania is saving itself $220 million over 10 years on a programme to replace 558 bridges with an unusual public private partnership approach - Kristina Smith writes It is called the Rapid Bridge Replacement Programme with good reason. Pennsylvania’s Department of Transport, PennDOT, wants to see no less than 558 structurally deficient bridges replaced with newly designed and constructed ones, all within four years. Using traditional forms of procurement this programme would be like
    Read More
  • Safe Roads Safe Kids Project: delivering a safe journey to school
    October 15, 2018
    Every year 186,300 children die from road traffic crashes around the world. That is more than 500 children every day. Road traffic injury ranks among the top four causes of death for all children over the age of five years. According to data reported by the Moroccan Comité national de prévention des accidents de la circulation (CNPAC), young people below the age of 14 represent 15% of all the deaths on Moroccan roads and the majority of these are pedestrians. Many of these fatalities are amongst children
    Read More
  • Road safety for Thailand and Morocco
    November 27, 2012
    Both in Thailand and Morocco the authorities are looking separately at ways in which road safety can be improved. The two countries face similar problems with regard to road safety and have, independently, embarked on similar paths with a view to resolving the issue. Morocco’s Works and Transport Ministry is setting up a think tank that will attempt to tackle the country’s growing rate of road fatalities. The Moroccan Government intends to ban the use of unroadworthy vehicles and will further amend the cou
    Read More

Highlighted Content