Liberal Democrats launch 'pothole trial' in Devon

In the May Devon County Council elections Liberal Democrats promised a new approach to fixing potholes. Now they have announced a trial programme to get on top of this scourge.

Liberal Democrats on Devon County Council approved the seven week trial which covers parts of Barnstaple as well as areas in Hatherleigh, Chagford and North Tawton. The trial will see contractors fixing potholes around a known defect, not just those that have been designated as safety risks.

Announcing the trial Liberal Democrat Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, said:

“I’m pleased to see the start of this trial and I’m optimistic it will make a positive difference. The Highways team has taken on board this idea and got things moving pretty swiftly so we now just need to see what impact this change to working procedures might have.

“We’re woefully underfunded by central Government so we have to try something different, and with more miles of roads than any other authority in the country it’s no easy task. Depending on the results of this trial it could be rolled across the county, but we would need to establish the benefits in terms of efficiencies, value for money and if it improves the county’s road network.”

You can find out more about the trial here.