Tackling potholes and improving the city’s roads
Work is well underway on a programme to improve the condition, look and feel of the city’s roads.
Between now and next spring, miles of road will be either treated or resurfaced to tackle potholes and wear and tear.
The work also includes refurbishing a dozen traffic signals.
The programme means we’re extending the life of the roads, cutting the need for repair and ongoing maintenance.
This work is in addition to concrete road rehabilitation works taking place in the Bevendean area, which will be extended to include three more roads in October/November.
Regular safety inspections of our roads
Every road in the city is walked and inspected at least once every six months, with busier roads visited more frequently. Inspectors identify safety defects (over 40mm deep on roads and 20mm deep on pavements) and repairs are carried out in either 2 hours, 7 days or 28 days depending on the assessed risk.
We also run a ‘seek and fix’ programme that identifies roads and pavements that are beginning to deteriorate and take pre-emptive preventative measures that tackle wear and tear sooner, reducing the likelihood of things like potholes and other damage getting worse.
But by taking a long-term approach to road resurfacing and treatment, we reduce the need for day-to-day repairs and maintenance.
Surface extension treatment
Parts of Valley Gardens have been getting what is known as a ‘surface extension treatment’.
Working with our contractors, this involves putting down a spray that restores elements lost over time.
It can be used every 3-5 years and extends the life of the road by an additional five years. This cuts the cost of ongoing maintenance, but also reduces the carbon impact.
The treatment is quick, with the whole process taking only a few days, minimising the disruption to residents.
Road Resurfacing
Once a road reaches the end of its life, the only option is to resurface it.
On main routes, the work may need to be carried out at night and take several days to complete, depending on the length and nature of the road.
The following roads are scheduled to be resurfaced.
- Falmer Road (The Vale to The Green)
- London Road (St Peters Place to Preston Circus)
- Preston Road (Cumberland Road to Tongdean Lane)
- Trafalgar Road junction with Victoria Road
- Warren Road
- Lewes Road junction with Coldean Lane
- Old Shoreham Road (Hangleton Link to Locks Hill)
The work on Lewes Road and Old Shoreham Road is being funded by National Highways following a successful bid for funding.
It also includes signal improvements and more signage along the A27 diversion route.
Traffic signal improvements
Several traffic signals have been replaced or will be in the coming weeks and months.
Temporary traffic lights will be put in place to manage traffic while this happens.
Work on these usually takes around two weeks, depending on the site.
Already completed:
- Hangleton Road/Elm Drive
- Davigdor Road/Holland Road/Cromwell Road
- The Drive/Upper Drive
- Church Road/Lincoln Road
In progress
- Western Road/Montpelier Road
- Hangleton Road/Clarke Avenue/Court Farm Road
Work starting soon
- Old Shoreham Road/Foredown Drive
- Kingsway/Roman Road
- Eastern Road/Freshfield Road
- West Street/Russell Road
- A259/Marine Drive/Marina Access
- Montpelier Road/Montpelier Place
Smoothing the way for all road users
Councillor Trevor Muten, Chair of the Transport and Sustainability committee said: “It’s good to see that so much will be happening between now and next spring to really improve the condition our roads and remove potholes.
“Taking a long-term approach to road maintenance makes both financial and environmental sense and keeps the city moving.
“This work will extend the life of our roads, making them less likely to develop potholes in the future, which we know is a big annoyance to road users in Brighton & Hove and across the country."
