Number of potholes decreased by half in Essex

Significant investment in Essex’s roads has led to a reduction in the number of potholes by almost half.

Figures showed a 47%  drop in the number of defects on priority routes between June and September this year.

Over the past three months, crews have fixed 2,627 defects on the roads. However, over the previous quarter (April – June 2016) the numbers have decreased to 1,638.

These figures have resulted in a record-breaking summer for road surfacing with 3.24 million square metres of surface dressing being completed which is the equivalent of the area of the runway at Stansted 23 times.

Cllr Eddie Johnson, Essex County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Following a record summer for road surfacing, we have seen an impressive reduction in the number of potholes across the county. This has been helped further thanks to the government’s ‘Pothole Action Fund’ allowing us to send out extra repair crews onto the county’s roads.

“We understand potholes are a real frustration for drivers across the county. That is why we have not only invested in repairing potholes, but have also taken a long-term view by investing in surfacing roads to ensure they last for years to come.”