More than 1000 potholes repaired in Gloucestershire as state-of-the …
Roads bosses in Gloucestershire[1] are attempting to get ahead of the pothole problem in the county by employing the latest technology. More than 1,000 potholes have been repaired thanks to a spray injection patching machine.
The piece of kit is just one of several innovative methods being trialled during a “summer of resurfacing”. Since June 12 it has repaired 3,000 square metres or roads across rural areas of Gloucestershire[2] during just 28 shifts, more than double the average speed of a conventional pothole repair team.
More than 170 roads are set to be resurfaced in Gloucestershire this year supported by new methods of repairs that make up the ‘summer of resurfacing’.
The machine began its journey in the north of the county in the lanes of Sandhurst. It has since travelled through the south of the county in Nailsworth and the surrounding area and most recently through to the Cotswolds[4] in Batsford before it is scheduled to operate in the Forest of Dean[5] towards the end of the season.
It comes as Secretary of State for Transport and Forest of Dean MP, Mark Harper[6] visited highways engineers in Gloucestershire to find out about a new programme of road improvement works.
Cllr Dom Morris, cabinet member responsible for highways and flooding at Gloucestershire County Council[7], said: “Keeping Gloucestershire moving is a top priority. The winter weather had an impact but we have boosted investment to deliver faster and more efficient repairs.
“With new machinery and new methods we have fixed more than 15,000 potholes since April. We are racing to resurface as many roads as possible and our engineers are working around the clock to strengthen the roads. It’s been a great pleasure to show this to Mark first hand.”
Mr Harper said: “The reason for my visit is because lots of my constituents talk to me about the quality of roads across the Forest and the work we’re doing to tackle potholes.
“We know this is an issue, and that is why the County Council has put in £100m for resurfacing and why they are being backed by central Government with additional funding. Hopefully my constituents will see an improvement in road quality throughout the summer and into the winter.”
References
- ^ Gloucestershire (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ rural areas of Gloucestershire (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Live M5 and M50 traffic as holidaymakers head south for bank holiday weekend (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Cotswolds (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Forest of Dean (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Mark Harper (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Gloucestershire County Council (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)