Council Quadruples Repair Crews Amid Rising Potholes
Brighton & Hove City Council is scrambling to fix the city’s battered roads and pavements after weeks of harsh, cold and wet weather wreaked havoc. Repairs have ramped up massively this March, with maintenance teams jumping from a pitiful 2 to a robust 10.
January saw crews tackle 1,004 potholes, but February’s figures shot up to a whopping 1,374. On the pavement front, more than 600 defects have been fixed over two months.
Top Transport Boss Speaks Out on Repair Blitz
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said:
“Fixing our roads and pavements is a top priority for us which is why we’ve more than quadrupled the number of teams repairing our roads. We fixed more potholes last month than in January and that number is set to increase again in March.
We know people are frustrated with the condition of some of our roads and we need to make them better. Years of underinvestment has led to a huge backlog in repairs and maintenance, not just in Brighton & Hove, but across the country.
But we have committed to spend at least £8.8 million making them better over the next 12 months, including £2.2 million on fixing the most immediate problems.
We’re acting now to fix the most serious problems. Longer term, we have a clear maintenance plan in place which will extend the life of our roads and pavements, stop potholes developing in the first place and reduce the need for repair.”
How Brighton Handles Your Pothole Complaints
The council says every pothole report from residents gets a thorough check. Special inspection squads also patrol regularly to spot trouble before it worsens.
Repairs are prioritised based on size, depth, location, and danger posed. Urgent hazards get fixed in as little as 2 hours. Others are dealt with within 24 hours, 7 days, or up to 28 days, depending on severity.
Big Bucks and Better Roads Ahead
This repair boost is part of Brighton’s £8.8 million pledge to slash the city’s maintenance backlog and improve road quality for good. With more crews on the ground and a long-term plan in place, residents can expect fewer potholes and smoother journeys soon.
