Improving the roads: Getting better value for your Council Tax
For the second winter in a row, the number of potholes on our roads has fallen, the number fixed has risen, and the time it takes to repair them has halved. That’s real progress – and it’s exactly what we promised when we made road maintenance one of our top priorities two years ago.
Residents rightly expect safe, well-maintained roads as a basic return on their Council Tax. We worked closely with the council's Highways team to put a strong proactive maintenance plan in place. Resurfacing, patching and surfacing dressing are part of a smarter, long-term programme that treats the right roads at the right time, reducing future costs and disruption.
The numbers speak for themselves: pothole reports have dropped from 3,329 in winter 2022/23 to 2,126 last winter – a 35% reduction. Repairs have almost doubled, from 592 to 1,131 in just two years. And the average time to fix is now half what it was.
This is not intended to sound self-congratulatory. This is what you deserve, for what you pay. And more can be done. The council is trying to get even more data, and further analysis will take place to prioritise the areas that need it most, to make your journeys safer.
Although council officers do inspect the roads, if you can report potholes or other issues on the roads it helps, and ensures your money goes further. Reporting an issue is easy through FixMyStreet which is available on the website or via the app.
Cllr Adam Zerny
Leader, Central Bedfordshire Council