Lancashire County Council is responsible for maintaining a vast network of roads across 12 districts, covering over 4,600 miles of highway. Despite the challenges posed by heavy vehicle traffic, utility company works, and increasingly wet weather, the council has made significant progress in repairing highway defects and is now back on track with its road repair programme.
The council’s highways team has been working tirelessly to catch up on the backlog of repairs, with the help of contractors brought in to support the effort. The team’s hard work has paid off, with almost all repairs now being made within target times. In June, 94% of highway defects that meet the threshold for repair within five, 10, and 20 days targets were repaired on time. This represents a significant improvement from earlier in the year, when the council struggled to meet its targets due to the sheer volume of repairs required.
The council’s investment in its road repair programme has been significant, with £29 million allocated for 2024/25 to improve road surfaces. This investment will help to address the wear and tear caused by heavy vehicle traffic and utility company works, as well as the impact of increasingly wet weather. The council’s highways boss, Cllr Rupert Swarbrick, said: “Our vast road network is vital to the daily life of every resident, worker, and business in the county, and that’s why keeping our roads safe is our top priority. We have invested above normal levels this year and brought in contractors to help our highways teams work at pace to keep up with the repairs caused by record rainfall. Despite the challenges, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made and are committed to continuing to improve our road network.”
The council is also committed to reducing the environmental impact of maintaining its roads. Its highways team has been pioneering low-carbon methods for a number of years, and is currently making the best use of the good weather to carry out vital repairs and resurfacing across the county. This will help to make its roads more resilient to the much wetter weather the UK experienced last winter. Cllr Shaun Turner, the council’s environment boss, said: “We’re committed to reducing the environmental impact of maintaining our roads, and our highways team has been working hard to achieve this goal. By using low-carbon methods and materials, we’re reducing our carbon footprint and helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.”
The council’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its road maintenance work are an important part of its overall strategy. By using low-carbon methods and materials, the council is reducing its carbon footprint and helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. The council is also working to reduce the number of potholes and other highway maintenance issues, and is committed to keeping its roads safe and in good condition.
In addition to its road repair programme, the council is also working to improve the overall condition of its roads. This includes investing in new technology and equipment, as well as training its highways team to use the latest techniques and methods. The council is also working with local businesses and residents to identify areas where improvements can be made, and is committed to keeping its roads safe and in good condition.
The council’s commitment to improving its road network is not limited to its own efforts. It is also working with other organizations and agencies to improve the overall condition of the county’s roads. This includes working with utility companies to reduce the number of roadworks and improve the condition of the roads, as well as working with other councils and organizations to share best practices and improve the overall condition of the county’s roads.
In conclusion, Lancashire County Council’s road repair programme is back on track, with the council making significant progress in repairing highway defects and improving road surfaces. The council’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its road maintenance work is also an important part of its overall strategy, and residents and businesses can be confident that the council is working hard to keep its roads safe and in good condition.