Wiltshire Council's highways team has waged war on potholes, filling more than 2,300
in the first week since the severe weather started to clear up.

Usually the council fills on average 200 potholes a week during the winter but after
the county was gripped by the extremely cold weather two weeks ago, highways
officers have been working round the clock filling more than 450 a day.

The damage has been caused by the prolonged cold weather following a very wet
November and early December. Some of the road damage is serious and the highways
team is looking at which stretches need to be completely resurfaced.

There have been ground temperatures of minus seven degrees centigrade on and off
since mid December and only now after the temperature has risen and the ice has
thawed has the serious damage become visible.

The council did anticipate this and has its largest ever stock of a new highly
durable repair material. To help with the effort, staff have been temporarily moved
from their normal jobs. Last week (January 18 to 22), the council spent
approximately £125,000 on the repairs.

Town centres and all A and B roads have already been patrolled and the most serious
potholes have been filled. This process is being repeated on minor roads. There are
between 60 and 80 people working on this at present.

Cllr Dick Tonge, cabinet member responsible for highways, said: "We realise how
important it is to get the roads repaired as quickly as possible after this severe
weather. Our staff are making excellent progress working hard to complete the
repairs."

Cllr Tonge added: "We would encourage people to report serious potholes to CLARENCE
on 0800 232323 and we will fill them as soon as we can. However, we are prioritising
the most serious ones, and would ask people to bear this in mind when calling in."

The council is also refilling grit bins in case there is more severe weather in the
coming weeks.

28th January 2010