“This should have happened long ago. - We don't need speed cameras, extra taxes and over-complicated cars to make the roads safer - We need quality roads, engineering and road user education.”

“Perhaps this might just work if common sense allows and all known reported holes on a road or street are fixed on the same day by the same crew. Currently you can have two or three teams coming out to the same road each fixing a different hole. Then if they have to come out again to redo the same hole with two years heads should roll.

The only thing I find interesting is that the council which has made job cuts/redundancies will now have to employ those transferred over under TUPE, will we still save the £300,000?”

“janine2011 - that repair might have been a temporary one to prevent hole getting ridiculous and damage to cars happening.
On my route to work, I noticed the same thing (bad pothole followed by rubbish looking patch) and then very soon there was another repair which was way better than first one.
Not sure if this 2 stage system is cost effective.”

“So, they've come up with a way of saving money, by... not renewing a contract that makes things more expensive.

This is a clear mark of genius.

You do have to wonder how and why that contract got signed in the first place though, don't you? It's not as if they could have not known that they would have to inspect the repairs. So they knowingly misused your council tax money. That's not very good.”

“It's simple. Things that are public should be run by councils for the benefit of taxpayers rather than private profits. NHS, rail, holes in roads etc.”

“There was a big hole opened up in Mackin Street a while back which was filled in, coming back along there the other day I noticed a pronounced depression in the repair, wonder how long it will be before it becomes a hole again, as is likely, so will make sure I avoid it when crossing the road.”

“when has a council every done a better job than a private company ?
they are even now stating they will save money by not inspecting the work after completion !!!
all they are doing is keeping the work for themselves they don't care about the quality or cost”

“well maybe the reason for using cheaper materials is that the roads are constantly being dug up for new gas/water/electrical pipes.

I agree it should be done right first time, even if it costs a little more it should lead to longer term savings and ultimately LESS roadworks and delays”

“They need to look at quality.
A pot hole near us was repaired - within 2 weeks it was back, such was the "quality" of the repair.”

“over the years road repairs have become shabby .when the council had thier own gangs the roads were far better .there were some great tarmack gangs then .i did a spell myself on patching gangs .great days .ive noticed over the last few years theyve added a lot of recycled demolition crushed brick and concrete to the tarmac ,well this material is past its sell by date .so will still carry on crumbling in tarmac ,as its not as tough as the limestone and granite used in the past .it may be ok on pathways ect .where there is no heavy lorries going over it .preperation .is the main issue .and foundations .perhaps this is the reason we never stop the repairs which is now very costly /perhaps its best to get back to the basics and do the job yourself”