MERSEYSIDE councils are counting the cost of filling hundreds of potholes which were created by the recent freezing weather.
Liverpool Council has put six extra gangs out to inspect roads and expects an increase of 30% in the number of potholes found when compared to normal conditions.
A spokesman for the city council said it was not yet possible to put a price on the damage that had been created by “freeze-thaw” weathering, which damages the roads in wet and particularly freezing conditions.
Water in cracks in the road expands into ice causing the surface of the road to break up and deeper than usual potholes to form.
The spokesman said: “We have a vigorous inspection scheme in place to make sure we assess the damage.”
Cllr David Sparks, chairman of the Local Government Association Transport Board, said councils were working flat out.
He said: “Councils spend millions to ensure that roads are safe and potholes are filled. The latest cold weather means that they are working flat out to fill in the ones created during the last month of freezing weather.
“Potholes are the gaping sores in our road network and councils know how much motorists want to see the proverbial bandage being applied.
“Getting people safely from A to B is at the top of every council’s agenda.
“The wet combined with the freezing conditions destroys tarmac very quickly. As the ice seeps into the road it expands and rips chunks of the surface out leaving potholes blighting the highways.
“After the snow comes the repairs and councils are working flat out to keep drivers safe by fixing the holes as quickly as possible.
“However, some ground is now waterlogged meaning the bituminous material will not stick.
“Temporary solutions will be used where necessary until the weather improves.”
Hall Lane in Liverpool (runs across the top of the Royal hospital site) is diabolical, be careful if you have to venture along it.
TOTALLY agree. I drove twice along Hall Lane today, once each way. Glad I have a Land Rover is all I can say
Snod
5 Precepts of Buddhism seem appropriate. Refrain from taking life. Refrain from taking that which is not given. Refrain from misconduct. Refrain from lying. Refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness
There's a hole appeared near the top of the slip road off the M53 (J1) heading towards Poulton Vics roundabout (near the Toyota showroom). It's a bit of a boneshaker.
Liverpool Council has put six extra gangs out to inspect roads
Gangs? Why can't just one bloke go round the streets or just listen to local residents who complain. and then 2 blokes go fill one in... move onto the next one... fill that in... and so on... simple. It would be a lot easier if they actually spent our road tax on the roads...
There's a hole appeared near the top of the slip road off the M53 (J1) heading towards Poulton Vics roundabout (near the Toyota showroom). It's a bit of a boneshaker.
POT HOLES in Liverpool caused by the recent ‘Big Freeze’ will cost up to half a million pounds to repair.
City bosses have put the extra funds towards the £12m it has already earmarked for road maintenance.
Water in cracks in the road expands into ice causing the surface of the road to break up, and pot holes to form deeper than usual.
The council will use innovative new technology called the Jetpatcher, which can be used by just one operator.
It cleans, fills and covers the pot hole and can be completed in one visit.
The council’s joint venture partner, Enterprise Liverpool, is also carrying out extra inspections to make sure pot holes are repaired within 24 hours of being examined by staff.
An extra six gangs of Enterprise workers have been dispatched, with the council warning it expects an increase of 30% in the number of pot holes found compared with normal weather conditions.