A council chief has stated that repairing potholes permanently and properly “first time” in Perth and Kinross is one of the authority’s main priorities.
Councillor Colin Stewart, convenor of Perth and Kinross Council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee, told fellow members on Wednesday that the local authority intend to press on with a “radical” repair policy regarding potholes after highlighting the previous one dated back to the 1990s.
A report drawn up by Stuart D’All, deputy manager for the roads maintenance partnership in Perth and Kinross, stated the local authority had to repair 10,207 road “defects” in the 2016/17 financial year, and stressed that approximately 5% of these required a repeat visit.
As a result, he suggested to the committee that the council move to a “first time” permanent repair policy. This could set a precedent for the rest of the country with other local authorities understood to be keen to follow the idea.
“For category one repairs, which are classed as an immediate and critical hazard to road users, we propose these are made safe immediately or within four hours,” he told the committee.
“Category two, which are regarded as a medium level of hazard, will be repaired within five working days and category three, which are classed as low risk, be repaired within 30 working days.”
He continued: “This policy will facilitate more effective planning for first time permanent repairs to potholes and other road safety defects. A first time permanent repair consists of cutting a regular shape around the pothole, painting edges with bitumen, laying hot material and compacting it.
“It will also ensure better use of public funding by improving the longevity service life of pothole repairs and allows roads maintenance officers more flexibility to plan works on the road network.”
Councillors heard that the new policy will result in savings of £26,775.
Councillor Dave Doogan, said he viewed the new policy as being “positive” but put forward an amendment to the proposed new timetable for repairs. He suggested category two repairs should be carried out within three days, category three in 10 days and category four, which relate to those classed as very low or no risk, within 60 days.
However, Mr D’All told the committee these proposals would impact on staff resources and would create a “challenge” to the roads repair team.
Councillor Stewart insisted the change in the roads repair programme was a “new, modern” policy.
“This is a priority for this administration to help residents and taxpayers, with the previous policy going back to the 1990s,” he said.
“It will allow more ‘right first time’ fixes of potholes.”
The new policy was agreed by eight votes to six.