Luton Council says it has delivered a record number of pothole repairs over the past year as part of a £6million investment in the town’s road network.
The authority says more than 50,000 square metres of road have been resurfaced in the last 12 months, alongside nearly 800 pothole repairs, supported by a mix of traditional resurfacing and newer preventative maintenance techniques aimed at reducing future defects.
The work has been carried out with a focus on extending the life of existing road surfaces and cutting down the need for repeated repairs. Treatments including surface dressing, asphalt preservation, asphalt rejuvenation and micro asphalt have been used across the town to seal cracks, prevent water getting into the road structure and improve skid resistance.
The council says these methods are more carbon efficient than full resurfacing as they improve existing roads without replacing them with new asphalt, while also helping to keep roads safer and smoother for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Councillor Javed Hussain, portfolio holder for sustainable development and highways at Luton Council, said the approach was designed to tackle potholes both now and in the future.
“By continuing to invest in protecting and maintaining our roads, we are reducing the number of potholes forming in the future,” she said. “Alongside delivering record levels of repair, we are making progress in decarbonising our maintenance processes and ensuring better value for money over the long term.
“We understand how frustrating potholes can be for residents, which is why we are investing £6million in our roads this financial year to make them safer, smoother and more reliable for everyone.”
Highway maintenance contractor, VolkerHighways, said changing weather patterns and ageing infrastructure continued to pose challenges for councils nationwide.
Jerry Pert, operations director at VolkerHighways, said: “Potholes continue to be a challenge for local authorities across the UK due to ageing roads and increasingly severe weather. Our teams are working hard to respond promptly and deliver high-quality repairs across Luton.
“Preventative maintenance is helping to reduce the number of potholes forming, but it is inevitable that some will still appear. Wherever possible, repairs are carried out permanently, and urgent cases are treated with temporary fixes followed by lasting solutions.”
Residents are encouraged to report potholes through the council’s website. Potholes considered to pose an immediate risk can also be reported for same-day assessment by calling 01582 501333 or emailing highways@luton.gov.uk.
Be the first to comment