This is how many safety repairs have been made on roads in West Sussex during the first two months of lockdown
With the roads being quieter whilst people across the country were confined to their homes, it was seen as an ideal opportunity for maintenance workers to repair the pothole-ridden roads causing despair for drivers.
West Sussex County Council said, as of last week, its highways team have completed 7,079 safety repairs countywide — mainly related to potholes — since the UK Government imposed lockdown restrictions on March 23.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdA county council spokesperson said: “Our highway and Balfour Beatty teams have been ensuring roads are maintained for key workers, emergency services and essential journeys during COVID-19.
"During lockdown our highways team have completed 7,079 safety repairs countywide.
"The majority of these have been potholes repairs and these have been identified as part of our routine walked and driven inspections, as well as customer enquiries that have been received."
Social distancing measures were implemented to 'ensure that the people working are as safe as possible'.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"This includes, all operatives travelling to the sites in separate vehicles, observing social distancing on site and, where at all possible, minimising contact within two metres," the spokesperson added.
“Where certain activities require closer working between operatives, the time limit is reduced to the absolute minimum and operatives are expected to wear a mask and gloves.
"These measures and the teams’ hard work and dedication have ensured our highways are kept safe for all to use.”
West Sussex Highways said it is expected to deal with a 'variety of highway-related safety issues' such as, potholes, loose, sunken or raised covers, faded road markings, fallen trees, overgrowing vegetation and flooding.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIt was stressed that many of the 7,079 repairs would have related to a 'number of different safety types' but a 'large proportion will relate to potholes'.
The spokesperson added: "It was also wettest February on record, with frequent changes in the weather causing more potholes on our roads."
A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:
In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOur journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.
Stay safe, and best wishes.