Big Freeze Sparks Pot Hole Cash

An extra £1.5m has been earmarked to fix pot holes across Leicestershire following this winter's big freeze.

The one-off pot of cash is included within the County Council's budget proposals published last week and would be used to repair road damage caused by the recent unprecedented icy snap.

During October, November and December, about 250 pot holes have been mended each month but as the roads start to warm up after the arctic conditions, this number is expected to double.

The council looks after over 2,500 miles of highway and following last year's harsh winter, fixed more than 5,300 pot holes, often at a rate of more than 100 each day.

Highway workers regularly inspect the roads - last year, they found over 3,500 pot holes - but motorists and residents are encouraged to report any they spot.

Pot holes form as water enters the tiny cracks in the road surface and freezes. As water expands when it freezes, this forces the tiny cracks to open up and break open a pot hole - this is compounded further by vehicles passing over it.

Lesley Pendleton, County Council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "The condition of Leicestershire's roads is one of the highest in the country but clearly, no highway network is immune from the effects of the recent prolonged sub-zero temperatures.

"These were unprecedented wintry conditions and I'm pleased we've been able to respond by proposing to spend an extra £1.5m fixing the pot holes generated."

Pot holes are fixed by cutting out the section of surface and laying a patch of new tarmac, although on busy roads a temporary filler is sometimes used first.

Last spring and summer, the council spent £2.5million on resurfacing and sealing nearly 200 miles of roads and 100 miles of footways to keep them in good condition - this help prevents pot holes forming.

'Slurry sealing' and 'surface dressing' are the most cost-effective ways of keeping roads and pavements in top condition. These preventative maintenance techniques help keep pot holes to a minimum and can more than double the time before a full resurfacing is required, at only 10-20% of the cost.

The County Council's budget was finalised on 23rd February.

To report a pot hole, please call the County Council on 0116 305 0001 or visit www.leics.gov.uk/road_pavement_defects, leaving details of the location.