Government pontificates on potholes

A neat little road in Devizes

Had potholes of all different sizes

Whilst some were quite small

And of no use at all

The best ones were huge, and won prizes

....................................

Wiltshire's famous potholes have made it into a government publication where they're used as a case study.

The Highways Management Efficiency Programme has been updated. A team of highly qualified pothologists has given seventeen recommendations to local councils on how to deal with holes in the road. These are:

1. Read these recommendations.

2. Carry out opinion surveys to see what people think of their local potholes.

3. Tell people about their potholes.

4. It's best not to have potholes because fixing them costs money.

5. It would be nice if there was some money available.

6. It's best not to have potholes.

7. Contractors should know how to mend them...

8. ...and what to mend them with.

9. They should also know what a pothole looks like.

10. It's best to mend them properly so they don't come back.

11. If contractors don't know what a pothole looks like, government publications are available to help.

12. Anti-pothole techniques which work are better than those which don't work.

13. If in doubt, government publications are available.

14. An OFSTED-like scheme is being developed to judge pothole repairers.

15. Utilities etc who dig up roads should plan their potholes....

16. ...it would be nicer though if they didn't have to dig up roads.

17. More research is needed.

Full report on DfT website