Pothole Prevention Week shifting the focus from Problems to Solutions
Potholes have long been the bane of UK roads, with countless complaints, costly repairs, and frustrated drivers. But now, the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) is flipping the script with its inaugural Pothole Prevention Week, running from September 16th to 20th, 2024.
Rather than rehashing the well-known issue of potholes, the campaign is spotlighting solutions—emphasising proactive maintenance strategies that could extend the life of UK roads and significantly reduce the need for costly, reactive repairs.
Promoting Proactive Maintenance Over Patchwork Repairs
Pothole Prevention Week isn’t about stating the obvious; the public already knows that potholes are a problem. Instead, the RSTA aims to educate local authorities, road operators, and policymakers about effective strategies that can prevent potholes from forming in the first place. The focus is on promoting a proactive approach to highway maintenance, which involves early interventions and strategic treatments to extend the lifespan of road surfaces.
Mike Hansford, Chief Executive of the RSTA, encapsulated the campaign’s ethos, stating: “It is a pleasure to be able to launch the first year of the campaign, highlighting the solutions available to local highway authorities and other road operators in preventing potholes from forming. By taking a proactive approach and effecting timely interventions to road surfaces, local highway authorities can prevent cracks and potholes from forming in the first place.”
Hansford, drawing on his own experience at Dorset Council, emphasised that preventive maintenance is not just a complementary strategy to traditional end-of-life asphalt replacement programmes but a necessary shift that can help maintain roads in better condition for longer. The approach doesn’t just address immediate repairs; it lays down a sustainable maintenance platform that keeps roads pothole-free and extends their lifespan.
The Cost and Environmental Benefits of Prevention
The RSTA’s message is clear: prevention is not just better than cure; it’s more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. By adopting a forward-thinking approach, local authorities could eventually save significant amounts of money currently spent on reactive repairs like filling potholes. The key lies in implementing surface treatments that seal road surfaces, preventing water ingress and subsequent damage. This method not only protects the road but also supports local authorities’ efforts to meet carbon reduction targets.
Hansford elaborated: “The application of surface treatments through a preventative maintenance strategy supports a positive asset management approach to road maintenance and can offer significant cashable savings, whilst also delivering a lower carbon approach.”
Surface treatments applied early, before major deterioration sets in, can prevent cracks from developing into potholes. This strategy allows roads to retain their integrity, reducing the frequency and scale of disruptive and costly interventions. By integrating these treatments into regular maintenance schedules, highway authorities can achieve a more sustainable road network, both economically and environmentally.
Understanding the Pothole Problem
The problem with potholes is well documented, often dominating headlines and drawing ire from the public. Potholes aren’t just an inconvenience—they’re a costly, recurring issue that affects millions of road users each year. The root cause is usually the same: water seeping into small cracks in the road surface, which then expands during freeze-thaw cycles, leading to larger cracks and eventually potholes.
For years, the approach to tackling this problem has been reactive: patching up holes as they appear. While this addresses immediate safety concerns, it’s a short-term fix that often sees the same potholes reappearing months later. This cycle of repair and recurrence not only drains public funds but also leads to repeated road closures, contributing to congestion and further frustration.
The RSTA is pushing to break this cycle with its Pothole Prevention Week campaign, encouraging road operators to shift from a reactive to a proactive mindset. The goal is to equip local authorities with the knowledge and tools to stop potholes before they start, turning their focus to sustainable, long-term maintenance solutions.
Available Solutions: Surface Treatments that Work
Several surface treatments available in the UK can effectively seal road surfaces, preventing water ingress and subsequent damage. These treatments, provided by specialist contractors, can be applied as the road surface begins to show early signs of wear, long before significant cracking occurs. By integrating these treatments into routine maintenance, highway authorities can significantly extend the life of their roads.
The use of these proactive treatments aligns with modern asset management practices, helping authorities make better use of limited resources while maintaining high road standards. “There are a number of surface treatments at our disposal in the UK,” Hansford pointed out, “which seal the road surface and prevent the damaging effects of water ingress, which can be applied to road surfaces as the surface starts to deteriorate.”
These treatments aren’t just a band-aid solution; they’re part of a broader, more strategic approach to road maintenance that considers the long-term health of the network. By focusing on prevention, local authorities can achieve substantial savings, reduce their environmental impact, and keep roads safer for everyone.
Changing the Funding Focus: Prevention Over Patching
One of the key messages of Pothole Prevention Week is the need for a shift in how highway maintenance is funded. Currently, a significant portion of government spending goes towards reactive repairs, such as pothole filling. The RSTA advocates for a reallocation of these funds towards preventative measures, which could lead to better-maintained roads at a lower overall cost.
By adopting a ‘prevention is better than cure’ philosophy, local authorities can tackle the root causes of potholes rather than just dealing with the symptoms. This change would not only extend the life of roads but also reduce the frequency of costly, disruptive repairs. Hansford noted that this approach complements traditional road resurfacing programmes, creating a more resilient road network.
A Positive Path Forward for UK Roads
As Pothole Prevention Week continues to gain traction, the RSTA hopes to inspire a nationwide shift towards preventative maintenance. By focusing on solutions rather than problems, the campaign is paving the way for a future where UK roads are safer, more durable, and more cost-effective to maintain.
The initiative underscores that maintaining a proactive approach to road care isn’t just about saving money—it’s about delivering a better service to the public and creating a sustainable infrastructure that can stand the test of time. With the right investments in preventive treatments, local authorities can transform the state of the UK’s roads, reducing the scourge of potholes and enhancing the overall driving experience.
For more information on Pothole Prevention Week, visit the RSTA’s LinkedIn page and their official site at www.potholepreventionweek.org.
