Devon announces new pothole repair system in Hatherleigh, Chagford and North Tawton

Devon County Council announced yesterday a seven-week trial to test new ways of repairing potholes across parts of Hatherleigh, Chagford and North Tawton.

Starting on Monday 15 September, highways teams will repair all potholes they find in these areas, not just those classed as ‘safety defects’.

The aim is to work out if fixing a larger number of potholes in one visit saves money in the long run and improves road conditions.

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As part of the trial, inspectors investigating reported potholes will also log other potholes on the same road within 500 metres, or up to the nearest junction.

Repair crews will then aim to fix them while already on site, using existing traffic management where possible.

Different teams may still be needed depending on the size and type of the repair.

Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, said the Council requires a smarter, more cost-effective approach to pothole repair.

“The frustration people have is seeing crews fill one pothole but leave others nearby. If the team is already there, it makes sense to do as much as possible rather than going back again. We need to prove whether this approach gives better value for money and longer-lasting improvements.”

He also highlighted the funding challenge facing Devon’s roads.

The county has a repair backlog of £390 million and needs £102 million a year from the government just to keep the roads in their current conditions.

“We simply don’t get anywhere near that amount,” he said. “Budgets are limited, so we have to prioritise. This trial is about exploring whether we can adapt our policies to stretch funds further.”

Devon has already trialled new materials such as elastomac and equipment like dragon patchers to improve efficiency.

The Council hopes this latest trial will reduce the number of return visits, leading to smoother roads and fewer pothole reports from residents.

The test runs until the end of October, after which its success will be reviewed.