Update from Rob Payne (Ringway).
Minutes:
Councillors received a presentation from Rob Payne, Design Services Manager, Ringway.
The presentation included the following points:
- The definition of a pothole that requires immediate intervention was confirmed to be 50mm deep with response times varying from 24 hours, 5 working days, or 20 working days depending on the severity or road classification. Defects that are not deeper than 50mm are defined as planned responses (category 2 or 4). Exceptional definitions were confirmed to be 40mm deep potholes in cycle lanes and 20mm for formal pedestrian crossings.
- 603 category 1 potholes were reported across the county in January 2023. 16% had a response time of 24 hours, 64% had a response time of 5 working days, and 20% had a response time of 20 working days. 871 category 1 potholes were filled in January 2023. This is in comparison to January 2022, where 198 category 1 potholes were reported, and 332 category 1 potholes repaired.
- Cold weather caused disruptions throughout December 2022, but normal services were resumed by 20 February 2023.
Discussion followed with the key points detailed below:
- Concerns were raised relating to how repeated repairs on the same road may affect repair schedules and whether priority is given to roads with repeated reported potholes. HCC confirmed that large scale repairs are implemented to roads if necessary, as a category 2 or 4 pothole. The importance of the public reporting residential road potholes was emphasised.
- A query was raised in relation to whether compensation can be provided for damage caused by potholes or roads that have been newly repaired. HCC confirmed members of the public can claim for compensation where damage has occurred as a direct result of a pothole that has been reported and not repaired in the required time frame.
- Concerns were raised over why all potholes on a road aren’t fixed at once. HCC confirmed repair schedules are centred around reported potholes and therefore employees only bring the necessary materials to fill reported potholes. Previously surplus materials were brought to fill in additional unreported potholes, but budget restraints have meant that this was not presently available.
- Concerns were raised over whether water was removed from potholes before they were repaired. HCC remove water as best as possible and within line with health and safety. Puddles are removed and a majority of any remaining water is evaporated in the repair process.
- Concerns were raised relating to whether there was any priority over potholes causing noise issues. HCC confirmed that manhole covers reported to be causing noise issues are usually dealt within 5 working days but they were not aware of any cases where a pothole was causing noise issues. They state that if there are any cases where potholes are causing a noise issue, this should be raised when the pothole is reported.
- Concerns were raised about whether there was an increase in category 1 potholes. HCC confirmed category 1 potholes are not increasing annually, but that there was an increase in January 2023 in comparison to January 2022 due to the unusual weather experienced in December 2022.