Road crews have repaired 10,000 road defects in just eight weeks,
Minister has revealed.
Praising the teams who have been out on local roads fixing
potholes, the Minister said: “The damage caused to our roads
by prolonged bad weather at the beginning of the year is well
documented and I established the Winter Recovery Road Fund to
specifically address the areas which were worst affected.
“Following my announcement of additional funding, crews have been
out working hard to repair potholes and other road defects and
now the figures speak for themselves, with 10,000 repairs
completed in eight weeks.
“We all use our roads and even the smallest repair can have a big
impact when it comes to better journeys for drivers, cyclists and
pedestrians.
“We are not complacent and there is still much to do because the
overall condition of the network has suffered because of years of
underfunding by the British Government. However, I am pleased
that the money I ringfenced at the beginning of the year for road
repairs is making a real and tangible difference across the
North.”
The Minister's draft Road Maintenance Strategy sets out a new
approach to the delivery of high quality, targeted and
sustainable road maintenance interventions using modern
technology to direct our investments where they are needed most
and ensuring smarter maintenance decisions.
The strategy will seek to future proof our roads to meet the
changing needs of society including active travel, reducing the
carbon footprint of our operations, and ensuring that the network
is resilient after adverse weather events.
Notes to editors
- Potholes are more likely to appear during periods of bad
weather. Why? Because bad weather accelerates road deterioration
by allowing water to enter small cracks, where freeze–thaw cycles
expand and break apart the pavement. Heavy or prolonged rain
damages the underlying layers, reducing a roads load‑bearing
capacity leading to potholes, rutting, and surface deformation.
Flooding can also erode sub‑base materials, damage embankments,
and block drainage systems, creating long‑term water damage.
Overall, adverse weather speeds up both surface wear and
structural fatigue, increasing maintenance needs and reducing the
lifespan of the road.
