'˜Please take care of our roads' say county highways chiefs

Highways chiefs have put '¨out a plea for private utility firms to take good care of Hertfordshire's roads.

More than half of all roadworks in the county are carried out by utility companies, while the 3,000 miles of roads are among the busiest in the country.

For the last three years the county council has run a permit scheme to co-ordinate all roadworks, but now they want companies to ensure that road surfaces are reinstated properly following repairs.

Terry Douris, cabinet member for highways at County Hall, said: “Maintaining such an extensive road network is an enormous task. Every year we carry out over 200 miles of resurfacing work and respond to over 14,000 
reported potholes.

“This is part of our continuing commitment to maintain and improve our roads for the benefit of all road users in Hertfordshire.

“However, it is particularly frustrating when we have completed some resurfacing only to have it later damaged by poorly reinstated emergency utility works.

“If their holes and trenches are not filled and resurfaced correctly they can deteriorate, leading to an uneven and 
degraded road surface, making it more susceptible to potholes. We then have to repair the road at taxpayers’ expense.”

He added: “I am therefore requesting that all utility companies ensure that they reinstate trenches and repair paving properly after their works are finished.

“Let’s work together to improve and maintain the quality of Hertfordshire’s roads and not spoil the look of our picturesque towns and villages.”

Information about all road works in Hertfordshire can be found at www.roadworks.org

To report problems with road works or other highway faults, visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/highwayfaults