Cold weather increases potholes in Bucks

Buckinghamshire Council says recent weather has caused deterioration in the roads

Bucks Council says it is aware of an increased number of potholes in local roads due to recent weather.

The prolonged period of cold conditions followed by wet weather has caused a rapid deterioration in some surfaces.

Freezing temperatures can impact surface layer where freeze-thaw action causes potholes and cracks to widen but can affect the integrity of the underlying layers if it penetrates deep enough. If this does happen the damage to the roads can be extreme.

Wet weather can cause further deterioration to already damaged roads, especially when larger vehicles are using the roads.

The council says repairs are being prioritised for the most serious defects and will be made as soon as possible, but some may need to be short term because of current weather conditions. 

Councillor Steven Broadbent is the Cabinet Member for Transport:

"Where a defect is unsafe, repairs will be made as quickly as possible. Ideally this will be undertaken as a long-lasting repair, but at times, such as during very wet or cold weather, or when it is an emergency "out of hours" repair, this may be possible and a temporary "make-safe" repair will be undertaken. 

"In extreme cases the issue may require the temporary closure of the road. None of these temporary options are ideal, as this type of repair may not last very long in poor weather, particularly where the road is subject to large numbers of HGV movements.  The best time to fix roads defects properly is when the weather is warm and dry – which, of course, is the opposite of when the majority of the problems occur!  Transport for Buckinghamshire is working hard to assess and rectify defects as soon as possible.

"The council continues to invest heavily in our highway network and the ongoing programme of local schemes and strategic road repairs/improvements continues.

"Prudent financial planning has meant that severe weather reserves exist to help fund the required priority repairs to deal with the issues we are currently seeing.   Where the damage can be attributed either in whole, or in part, to schemes such as HS2 or East West Rail, the council will negotiate appropriate third-party payments to ensure Buckinghamshire residents' are not footing the bill.

"We urge residents not to repair potholes themselves - the best way to report a problem on the highway, so the council can repair the roads, is via Fix My Street."