Devon Council Releases Comprehensive Road Maintenance Plan for 2023

Strategic Insights -

Devon's road users can now access a detailed plan outlining over 1,420 scheduled maintenance schemes across the county's extensive highway network. The comprehensive list covers a range of works, including full resurfacing, surface dressing, drainage upgrades, and patching, with a focus on preventative treatments to maintain the county's 8,000 miles of roads. The plan is in line with Department for Transport guidelines and provides residents with transparency on how taxpayer money is being spent on highway upkeep.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Devon County Council has released a comprehensive list of over 1,420 scheduled maintenance schemes for 2023, covering a range of works such as full resurfacing, surface dressing, drainage upgrades, and patching.
  • The schemes are designed to maintain the county's 8,000 miles of roads, with a focus on preventative treatments to prevent potholes from forming.
  • The plan is in line with Department for Transport guidelines requiring local authorities to provide clear transparency on how taxpayer money is being spent on highway upkeep.
  • The council acknowledges that it is not possible to maintain every route to the same standard, with priority given to A and B roads, which carry 80% of traffic in the county.
  • Notable resurfacing locations include the A386 New Road in Bideford, A379 Exeter Road in Starcross, and A396 The Walronds in Tiverton, while drainage works are scheduled for roads such as the A3072 Green Hill in Sampford Courtenay and the A382 Monks Way in Bovey Tracey.
  • Last year, nearly 59,000 potholes were filled, and a similar figure is expected this year.
  • The council's highways teams carry out more than just filling potholes, with preventative maintenance works aiming to prevent potholes from forming in the first place.
  • Councillor Dan Thomas, cabinet member for highways, stated that the document provides residents with information on all planned maintenance on Devon's highway network and highlights the planning that goes into maintaining the roads.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,420 maintenance schemes have been listed for 2023.
  • Around 260 miles of roads will be treated with preventative treatments such as surface dressing and slurry seal.
  • The county's road network spans 8,000 miles.
  • A and B roads in the county carry 80% of the traffic.
  • Nearly 59,000 potholes were filled in 2022, with a similar figure expected in 2023.

Sources:

  • "Devon Council's road maintenance plan to cover 1,420 schemes". Devon's road users can now check exactly where and when repairs will take place this year, as the county council releases details of more than 1,400 scheduled maintenance schemes.
  • "Cllr Dan Thomas, cabinet member for highways". Our highways teams do much more than just fill potholes - they're carrying out preventative maintenance before potholes can form in the first place.