Gritting continues and pothole preparations get underway

The severe weather conditions are likely to cause a larger than usual number of potholes, and Warwickshire County Council is preparing for action.

The daily freeze-thaw effect loosens weakened road surfaces which when driven over results in potholes.

Warwickshire Highways is gearing up resources to tackle the increase in potholes over the coming weeks once the weather conditions improve.

Andrew Savage, Warwickshire Highways - Contract and Policy Manager, said: "We appreciate the public reporting any serious potholes which could pose a safety hazard to cyclists, motorcyclists and car users.

"It is the larger potholes, typically bigger than a dinner plate and greater than 50mm deep, that we will prioritise to fix when temperatures are above freezing. We have a large highway network of more than 3820km so we will tackle the problem in a systematic manner across the county.

"At present the situation of potholes is not significant, though likely to increase with milder and wet condition after snow melts."

Andrew added: "It is too early to quantify the damage to highways from the current winter conditions as frost and snow conditions do extend to the end of March and even into early April.

"Since 2007, with the floods, a wet 2008 summer and past two more severe winters, some local roads have deteriorated. Those roads which show worst deterioration will go into our planned repair programmes. In a typical year we strengthen or reconstruct about 20km of road and surface dress a further 200km in the summer months."

So far this winter County Highways have been out gritting 38 times keeping the primary road network open. Much of the gritting is done in the evening or very early hours when most people are asleep.

Highway safety defects can be reported through a series of channels to County Highways by 01926 412515 or via the web at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/roads

For more information on various services during the cold conditions visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/snow