Council urges residents to report new potholes as winter hits network

CEC highways repairs (1)

As icy winter weather blasts the region Cheshire East Council is urging residents to report any new potholes or road surface damage.

Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and chair of its highways and transport committee, said: "Our highways team is working constantly to maintain the condition of our roads and the council puts the safety of road users as its highest priority.

​The council regularly undertakes safety inspections and responds to customer enquiries to keep the network in a safe condition. All roads are inspected in line with the code of practice for highway safety inspections and any defects identified as requiring intervention are promptly repaired within agreed timeframes.

"All potholes and road defects, that are reported, are inspected and all that require intervention will also be promptly repaired within the agreed timeframes.

"Repeated fluctuations in weather conditions – from above to below freezing, coupled with heavy rainfall – can result in an increase in the number of potholes.

"A three-level strategy is in place – Level 1 (pothole filling): keeping the network safe; Level 2 (carriageway patching): maintaining and protecting the network; and Level 3 (resurfacing): investing and improving the network – in order to keep the network in a safe and serviceable condition and to achieve the best value from the available budget.

"In some cases, during the winter months, the weather may prevent an immediate permanent repair. However, these areas will be left in a safe state until such time that a permanent repair can be completed.

"We want our footpaths and roads to be safe for our residents and visitors. The council is currently drawing up proposals to see further investment in our highways over the next three years to maintain and improve our road network.

"We would encourage members of the public to continue to report any issues or defects directly to us via our online reporting tool at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways​ or by calling 0300 123 5020."

​The council's highways service is responsible for repairs and management of the borough's 1,677 miles of roads and 1,100 miles of footways in addition to the maintenance of bridges, street lighting, signage and 372 miles of cycleways. It is the biggest council asset – valued at about £6bn.

Works will be done at various locations across the borough and, where possible, will be coordinated to reduce the impact on road users. The investment in the network will see 16 miles (26km) of roads resurfaced or treated this financial year.

The programme of works is prioritised in line with a defined scoring criteria, which can be found at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways_and_roads/road-maintenance/road-repair-and-improvement-programme-2021-2022/road-repair-and-improvement-programme-2021-2022.aspx

Cllr Browne added: "The works programme will improve some of the key sections of highway network and this will naturally cause some disruption and inconvenience, for which we apologise in advance. We would ask drivers to be patient and, please, plan ahead."

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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Christopher Evans
Wednesday 8th December 2021 at 2:33 pm
Yes ~ reporting potholes etc. should be encouraged and is important but why on occasion is no action taken. Below are two examples of what I am talking about. They are both on Chapel Lane, Wilmslow and one is directly outside the office of The Rt Hon Esther McVey MP.

Two reference number that were reported about the condition of Chapel Lane, Wilmslow are: 3423582 on the 03rd March 2021 and 3427853 on the 21st April 2021 remain awaiting attention. The note confirms that these areas are "Programmed for Safety Inspection".

I can only assume that they were viewed and it was not considered necessary to take action to repair the uneven road surfaces or repaint the faded double yellow lines.

What is going on CEC?
Jon Williams
Wednesday 8th December 2021 at 3:01 pm
A bit off topic, but floods again at Old Royal London!
Roger Bagguley
Wednesday 8th December 2021 at 4:36 pm
People may not agree that our roads seem to be in better shape than this time last year. Cliff Road and Cumber Lane are examples, with Knutsford Road upcoming Chapel Lane is disappointing given the fairly recent resurfacing but I am reassured this is being monitored. It is not often our council is praised for its efforts so do let's report new potholes and help make a difference.
Simon Rodrigues
Wednesday 8th December 2021 at 8:29 pm
Ok what about reporting pot holes that have been filled in, incorrectly over the summer and now the rain has washed it away and the same pot hole is back. Paid for by tax payer’s, not done correctly and council workers aren’t checking before making payment for a cowboy job.
Fiona Doorbar
Thursday 9th December 2021 at 5:13 am
Totally agree Simon
Shocking quality of work by contractors used and resulting in waste of money and the job continually needing to be done
Who is accountable for the quality of work ? They or that department needs replacing with someone that can sort the current shambles out
David Smith
Sunday 12th December 2021 at 10:13 pm
Road matrkings are worn out all over the place and too many road signs are covered in green mould or obscured by hedges.