Winter road maintenance

Since December last year, we have seen a significant surge in reported road issues, including potholes, following extremely wet and wintry weather conditions that have weakened road surfaces. This is putting considerable strain on our limited resources.

During periods of exceptional demand, our focus is on keeping the network safe by responding quickly to the most serious issues and repairing as many defects as possible.

Every report received is assessed by our highways team, with urgent safety risks prioritised. To help tackle the current spike in demand, we have allocated extra resources across Hampshire including more teams and equipment.

While permanent, first-time repairs are always our preferred approach; the sheer level of demand means some potholes may need a temporary fix while more durable solutions are scheduled at a later date if needed.

This is because a temporary fix can be completed far more quickly (around one-seventh of the time needed for a permanent repair; allowing us to make more locations safe during peak demand.

Work in the spring and summer period

When drier, warmer weather comes along, we will start spring and summer treatments that will help repair the damage seen over the winter period.

We are currently finalising our annual programme of planned road maintenance, including resurfacing and surface treatments.

These normally take place in warmer, drier months to be most effective and will enable us to start the process of restoring roads, making them more durable, following the damage caused over winter.

Find and Fix it teams

During the height of the winter season, our 'Find and Fix' pothole gangs are out across Hampshire to speed up pothole repairs. These gangs can repair defects as they find them, usually carrying out infill repairs.