£500,000 Plan to Tackle Reading’s Pothole Problem

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: “Reading Borough Council” <webmaster@reading.gov.uk>
Date: May 31, 2013 11:50 AM
Subject: £500,000 Plan to Tackle Reading's Pothole Problem
To: <Racheleden.whitley@gmail.com>

£500,000 Plan to Tackle Reading's Pothole Problem

31/05/2013
Reading Borough Council Press Release

A £500,000 plan to tackle the pothole problem across the borough will be considered by the Council’s Policy Committee on 10 June.

The work programme, which will take up to a year to complete, will involve switching all existing highway maintenance gangs to concentrate on filling in potholes. Additional personnel will be employed to ensure that other highways work can continue to be carried out.

Reading’s roads, like many other towns and cities across the UK, have suffered from the extreme winter weather, and it has become clear that the Council’s normal policy for dealing with potholes is not coping with the increased maintenance demands.

Setting out the new pothole strategy, Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Transport and Planning, Councillor Tony Page, said:

“It is clear that we need a concerted offensive against potholes in Reading and that is what I am proposing.

“This is a ‘first’ for any unitary authority in the country and recognises the scale of legitimate public concern, and, quite literally, the depth of the problem.

“By virtue of us still having a strong in-house resource we have the capacity and flexibility to respond in an imaginative way, whilst still remaining within our budget parameters. The pothole offensive will start as soon as the additional staff, necessary vehicles and equipment are in place.

“This is not without an element of risk, as a repeat of last summer’s rainfall followed by a really harsh winter will set back our programme.

“Nevertheless, I believe the public will welcome this pothole initiative which sits alongside, and complements, our scheduled Capital Programme which will be carried out as usual during the school summer holidays. Together this offers the real prospect of transforming the condition of Reading’s roads.”

This programme will also cover the local network of cycle routes and will address concerns of cyclists and motorcyclists who are particularly vulnerable to potholes.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

Media Contact: Oscar Mortali
Tel: 0118 937 2301