Council doubles funding for fixing potholes
Publication date: Friday 5 March 2010
Haringey Council is to double the money it spends on maintaining the borough's road network to tackle the aftermath of the harshest winter in 30 years.
The severe weather has caused unprecedented damage to Haringey's roads including a dramatic increase in the number of potholes.
Some of the worst hit roads will be completely resurfaced under a new rolling repairs programme beginning next week.
The council already has six dedicated teams fixing the most serious potholes within 24 hours, and has launched a hotline for residents to report problems so they can be dealt with quickly.
An extra £1m will be added to the planned roads maintenance budget of £1m for 2010/11 to deal with the unprecedented number of pothole repairs and to fix extensive damage with localised reconstruction and resurfacing.
Leader of the Council Claire Kober said:
"Our teams have been working flat out to put the damaged roads right after the severe weather. However, we recognise the size of the issue is such that we must redouble our efforts.
"We will use this extra investment to keep right on top of the large volume of potholing work and to target investment on roads that need substantial repairs such as resurfacing.
"Whatever the cause of potholes, they affect all road users from cyclists to bus passengers.
"This additional money shows we are committed to a well maintained road network and listening to the concerns local people have expressed about potholes.
"I have instructed officers to focus on this vital work immediately. Demonstrating our dedication to resolving this issue"
The worst weather in 30 years has left roads exposed to a condition known as 'freeze-thaw'. Water gathering in cracks in the roads expands when frozen causing the surface to break up, which results in deeper than usual potholes appearing.
As part of the council's concerted action, reported potholes and those located by our regular patrols will be marked with a fluorescent circle so local people know the pothole in their street is on the council hit list for repair.
The council is advising motorists to drive with caution whilst repairs are underway.
It will keep residents and businesses updated with regular progress reports on pothole repairs posted on the website.
Cllr Kober has written to the Mayor of London and spoken with officers at TfL to lobby for more funds for repairs but added:
"This will not delay the immediate start of our extensive programme but we hope to gain the support of the Mayor in tackling this difficult issue."
Potholes can be reported online at www.haringey.gov.uk/is_potholes or by calling 020 8489 1335. Once reported, potholes will be sprayed with paint so residents know they are on the list to be fixed.
View the planned carriageway resurfacing programme March to May 2010 (PDF, 40Kb).
Photos
- Top picture shows Haringey Council leader Claire Kober with contractors Volker Highways at the start of a rolling programme to fix potholes and resurface many roads worst hit by the winter weather.
- Bottom picture shows the Council Leader, Cllr Kober illustrating how once potholes are reported they will be sprayed with paint pending being fixed. Councillor Kober sprayed potholes in Hewitt Road on the Haringey ladder. The road had 40 potholes which are now being fixed and the whole road will be resurfaced.
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