DfT tackles potholes with new data-led approach

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a pothole mapping project today (August 28), aided by data from on-road businesses, to work out where funding is most-needed to tackle the problem in England.

The DfT will work with highway data and mapping company Gaist, businesses such as Deliveroo, Uber, Tesco and Ocado and local highway authorities to identify ‘pothole hot-spots', ahead of people returning to work and school.

Safe roads have, arguably, never been more important, with the Government urging commuters, parents and school children to choose to cycle or walk for part or all of their journeys to help ease demand on public transport and travel safely as the country recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Government has already committed £2.5 billion in funding for pothole repairs and the launch of the review comes as new data reveals that highway maintenance works undertaken in the past few months, when roads were quieter during lockdown, has led to 319 miles of resurfacing.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “I want our roads to be as safe as possible, so during the lockdown we’ve resurfaced hundreds of miles of road. But now I want to go further by identifying critical potholes and ensuring these are fixed as quickly as possible.

“We’re teaming up with delivery companies, who know the roads well, in order to map out where remaining potholes exist and then relentlessly target them with our record £2.5bn to pothole repair fund.

“Better road surfaces benefit motorists and cyclists alike ensuring the back to school and work environment is safer for everyone.”