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

  • Tunnel waterproofing solutions
    February 29, 2012
    Tunnels are the highest value assets on a highway, making their operation, safety and maintenance of paramount importance. Patrick Smith reports
  • Stirling Lloyd launches Bond Coat 3, part of the Eliminator series
    July 7, 2016
    Stirling Lloyd Polychem has introduced a cold, spray-applied bond coat that it says provides enhanced adhesion values and superior in-situ performance Bond Coat 3, part of the Eliminator bridge deck waterproofing system, “represents a significant development” in the provision of tack and bond coats that are used to adhere the asphalt surfacing to the waterproofing. It provides a fast-curing tack-free, durable protective finish that resists contamination and damage from traffic. It removes the risk of
  • Bitumen technology: cutting maintenance costs
    April 8, 2022
    Thicklift in Utah, epoxy modification for Ethiopia and inbuilt de-icing in South Korea - a focus on technologies designed to lower maintenance and rehabilitation costs over the life of a pavement
  • Phone safety move addressed
    October 31, 2019
    The UK Government is closing a legal loophole that has allowed drivers to escape prosecution for hand-held mobile phone use while behind the wheel. At present, the law prevents drivers from using a hand-held mobile phone to call or text. However, people caught filming or taking photos while driving have escaped punishment. Lawyers have successfully argued this activity does not fit into the ‘interactive communication’ currently outlawed by the legislation. The revised legislation will mean any drive