Kimmins praises road crews as 10,000 repairs made in eight weeks
Date published:
Road crews have repaired 10,000 road defects in just eight weeks, Minister Liz Kimmins 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.
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