Pothole Reports Rocket
THE recent bad weather has resulted in the number of potholes reported in Comet country rising rapidly, compared to figures from the same period last year. Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) has been inundated with calls reporting potholes since the thaw
THE recent bad weather has resulted in the number of potholes reported in Comet country rising rapidly, compared to figures from the same period last year.
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) has been inundated with calls reporting potholes since the thaw began on Monday.
Between Monday and Wednesday, there have been 33 potholes reported in Stevenage, compared to just five during the same three-day period last year.
The increase for the same period in North Hertfordshire has been even greater, with figures rocketing from 17 reports this time last year to 129 this year.
Cold temperatures increase the number of potholes as water gets into cracks and expands when it freezes, putting added stress on the cracked surface.
A spokesman for HCC said: "As the snow melts there are more potholes being reported."
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Cllr Stuart Pile, Executive Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs at HCC, said: "Freezing conditions are our worst nightmare as potholes can appear quickly and in roads that were previously in good condition. We will work as quickly as possible to repair what we are anticipating to be extensive damage, but we ask for residents' patience as this may take some time.
"In normal circumstances the ice and snow would stop us from repairing potholes but it doesn't stop us going out and identifying the potholes. We have a balance between the serious potholes, those that are deep and are considered an emergency, and those that we can safely leave for a week or two and then go and fill with hot tarmac. We have noticed that the website at www.hertsdirect.org has had a lot more hits and a lot more people reporting potholes."
Residents can report damaged roads and footpaths to Hertfordshire Highways at www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults or by calling 01438 737320 or 01923 471320.
