A first-of-its-kind audit into the mapping of potholes in
England has been launched today (Friday 28 August) by Transport
Secretary , aided by data from on-road businesses such as Uber
and Deliveroo, to better target improvements so that roads are
in top condition as people return to work and school.
The Department for Transport will work with Gaist, a highway
data and mapping company, businesses such as Deliveroo, Uber,
Tesco and Ocado, alongside local highway authorities to
identify ‘pothole hot-spots'.
Combining collated data on current potholes held by nation-wide
businesses, and the most up-to-date bank of roads imagery in
the country from Gaist, the Department will be able to paint
the most comprehensive picture ever of where funding is most
needed to make sure roads are not plagued by potholes – making
them as safe as possible as more commuters and students
undertake journeys in the coming months. The plan will help
cyclists and motorist get back to school and work.
The Government has already committed £2.5bn in funding for
pothole repairs in the biggest nationwide programme ever
announced. The launch of the review comes as new data reveals
that highway maintenance works undertaken in the past months
when roads were quieter during lockdown has led to 319 miles of
resurfacing, making sure that roads are in better condition so
that people can get back to work and school safely.
Transport Secretary
said:
“I want our roads to be as safe as possible, so during the
lockdown we’ve resurfaced hundreds of miles of road. But now
I want to go further by identifying critical potholes and
ensuring these are fixed as quickly as possible.
“We’re teaming up with delivery companies, who know the roads
well, in order to map out where remaining potholes exist and
then relentlessly target them with our record £2.5bn to
pothole repair fund.
“Better road surfaces benefit motorists and cyclists alike
ensuring the back to school and work environment is safer for
everyone.”
Charlie Wren, Director of Operations at Deliveroo,
said:
“Deliveroo riders go above and beyond to bring people the
food they love, and this is a great way to make sure they and
other road users are safe on the road. We’re looking forward
to working with the Government on this important scheme to
help make the roads safer for Deliveroo riders and others.”
Since 2010 the Government has provided over £1.2 billion solely
to help repair potholes on the local highway network –
including £500 million from the £2.5 billion announced in the
Budget earlier this year. Safe roads have never been more
important, with the Government urging commuters, parents and
school children to choose to cycle or walk for part or all of
their commutes to help ease demand on public transport and
travel safely as the country recovers from the pandemic.
Better quality roads will also make it easier, safer and more
convenient than ever for people to cycle. The Government has
previously announced plans to deliver a cycling and walking
revolution by investing £2 billion over the next five years to
support more people to choose active travel, and through the
launch of our most ambition Cycling and Walking plan ever.
With potholes posing a problem to all road users’ safety, the
pothole mapping review will allow for the Government to ably
target the worst-affected areas, levelling up road quality
across the country.
