A whole lot of work

The county council's road workers are continuing their blitz on pot holes throughout the coronavirus lockdown.

Their aim is to keep Derbyshire’s roads safe for all those who use them.

The number of potholes had increased earlier this year due to storms Ciara and Dennis in February, but since the start of the lockdown more than 10,500 potholes have been fixed.

Cllr Simon Spencer, the council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, said: “The storms in February caused an awful lot of damage on the roads, some major damage for which we are waiting for Government money to fix, but a huge amount of potholes.

“Our road workers have done a fantastic job in fixing so many of these potholes over the past few weeks. 

“Although many people are working from home, our emergency services are still out there doing their vital work and they need safe roads to travel on.

“We have taken steps to make sure our workers can socially distance while working. Our pothole gangs usually travel together in one lorry to each job. 

“Now they are travelling one worker per vehicle to get to jobs, and keeping their distance while out fixing the roads, and when they are back in our depots loading up for jobs.

“I’d like to pass on my thanks to the work they are doing, in difficult circumstances. 

“They are showing true Derbyshire spirit.”

The team will now start to clear and fix blocked and damaged drains and gulleys, prioritising areas which have been recently flooded, as this work is also important in keeping the roads safe.

The utility companies have a right to work on the roads if they need to access their pipes and equipment under the surface, and the council has a duty to co-ordinate this work. 

This includes gas, electric, water and phone companies. 

Much of the current works on Derbyshire’s roads will be vital work being carried out to make sure that services can continue to run.