£2.5m plan to rescue roads from potholes set to start next month (From Bournemouth Echo)

£2.5m plan to rescue roads from potholes set to start next month

9:00am Saturday 13th March 2010 in

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OPERATION Road Rescue will begin next month in Bournemouth to repair some of the borough’s worn-out roads.

The £2.5 million scheme will see the many potholes caused by the recent cold snap repaired as well as resurfacing works and refreshed road markings across the town.

Officers are currently working on plans to prioritise the roads that are in the greatest disrepair before drawing up a plan of action for the year-long campaign.

The news will be welcomed by motorists in Bournemouth who have reported damage to their vehicles caused by potholes.

As reported in yesterday’s Daily Echo, claims for pothole damage has risen by up to 300 per cent in Dorset.

But furious motorists are demanding answers after inquiries revealed Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth councils have not paid out a penny this year in compensation. All three councils said the claims were in the hands of their insurers.

Bournemouth council received 690 reports of damage in a 12-week period from December 1, and 18 claims since Christmas.

Potholes develop when roads become brittle which can result in cracking and chippings can loosen. Water gets into these weakened areas and the process of freezing and thawing causes a pothole.

Bournemouth council said maintenance teams are currently assessing and repairing pothole damage caused by the recent spell of bad weather.

A recent consultation found investment in highway maintenance was where Bournemouth residents would like to see their money spent.

Cllr Robert Lawton, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We understand and share people’s frustrations on the state of the roads which is why over the next year residents will see our highway teams working across Bournemouth to rescue our road network. Officers are currently working on plans to prioritise those roads that are in greatest disrepair so that we get those fixed first.

“Improving Bournemouth’s road network is a top priority for the council and this investment will see repairs made to potholes, resurfacing works, as well as refreshing road markings across the town.”