Council fixing potholes at rate of 1,250 a week

West Sussex County Council has moved to assure motorists it continues to do “everything it can” to deal with the problem potholes.

Record levels of rainfall saturated the ground around the county earlier this year, causing puddles and flooding to emerge on the roads.

The surface water makes existing potholes worse because it acts as a lubricant and breaks them up whenever vehicles pass over them.

It also accelerates the rate new potholes appear.

Road maintenance crews have been fixing defects at a rate of up to 1,250 potholes a week.

The County Council’s contractor Balfour Beatty will always aim to make a permanent repair. However, sometimes the wet weather dictates that an “uncut” repair must be made. These are closely monitored and if they fail, the contractor will return to fix the pothole permanently.

The workforce includes six dedicated pothole patrol gangs funded by Operation Watershed, the County Council’s £8.25million initiative which is dealing with issues caused by flooding around West Sussex.

County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, Pieter Montyn, said: “We are doing everything we can as an authority to repair our roads and clear the backlog of potholes that have been reported to us.

“If you do spot a pothole, don’t assume someone else has reported it, make sure you report it to us yourself.

“When you send us your report, remember to give us details of its size. Estimate its width and depth. The more information you can give us the quicker we can deal with your concern.”

To report a pothole, call 01243 642105 or log on to the website www.westsussex.gov.uk and click the “Love West Sussex” logo.