Bromley Council is encouraging Beckenham motorists and residents to report potholes so that they can be fixed as quickly as possible following the recent cold weather.
The number of potholes routinely rises during the winter period, with both wet and cold creating conditions which generate additional wear and tear on road and pavement surfaces.
The recent prolonged extreme cold weather, often referred to as the ‘Beast from the East’, has exacerbated this seasonal trend and whilst the council’s highway inspectors check the condition of roads and pavements every day, motorists who come across a pothole are advised to report it using the council’s website, which will then keep the ‘reporter’ up to date when the problem is fixed.
Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, executive councillor for environment, said: “When it comes to maintaining our roads and pavements, we have a good record and currently we are investing £11.8 million to improve road and footway surfaces which will reduce our longer term repair costs as well as make for smoother journeys.
“The freezing temperatures have inevitably caused damage to our roads. We are proactively taking action but now, even more than other times, we’re asking people to report potholes to us, which will help everyone.”
Residents are advised not to report issues on twitter or social media but via www.bromley.gov.uk/report instead. Photos can be uploaded and reports go immediately to the person or contractor who can fix it, while the person reporting receives email updates about the issue. As the information is published online, others can see the status too and this saves them reporting the same problem.
Potholes and many other problems can be reported online, but for genuine emergencies, residents should call 0300 303 8658.