FTA backs pothole investments
The industry has reacted positively to government commitments to invest £22.9m for research and trials on new surface materials for pothole repairs.
Malcolm Bingham, head of road network management policy at the Freight Transport Association (FTA) said, ‘Any trial that has the potential to improve road operation performance is a worthwhile venture, and as such, FTA applauds the Department for Transport’s project.
‘From the trialling of plastic roads, fixing potholes, to more effective analytics which may provide more useful information on diversions, there are a mix of projects in the announcements made by the Secretary of State. The road freight industry has had to deal with unsatisfactory road repairs and roadworks for too long; the government should rightly be seeking out more effective methods of maintaining a road system which carries the bulk of freight traffic.
‘FTA’s members are often caught out on ill-devised diversion routes that have not be designed to cater to the needs of HGVs, which require appropriate and sensible diversion routes. With the persistence of potholes, the cost of maintaining commercial vehicle fleets is only continuing to rise. While it is possible to seek compensation for damaged vehicles from highway authorities, it is a highly protracted process. And when the full vehicle damage is realised – cracked tyres and suspension faults are common consequences – much of the hit ends up being absorbed within maintenance cost.
‘FTA is looking forward to seeing the initial results of the trials; we hope it is successful in keeping vehicle costs at a sensible level, particularly when the industry is facing a number of operational challenges.’
