Wedoany.com Report on Mar 3rd, Somerset Council plans to invest up to £5 million over the next three years to advance a county-wide road improvement plan, focusing on enhancing the condition and appearance of roads, pavements, and cycle paths. According to the proposals published by the Council, this funding will be used to increase the frequency of gully cleaning, repair and clean road signs, refresh faded road markings, clear litter, and trim vegetation along walking and cycling routes. The Council also plans to upgrade its online reporting platform to make it easier for residents to report issues related to the road improvement plan.
Council Leader Councillor Bill Revans stated: "As a listening Council, we know the public wants us to do more than just keep the roads safe; they want to see improvements across our Council area." He noted that the authority will continue to prioritise urgent safety repairs such as pothole fixes, but some long-standing non-critical issues—including worn road improvement plan signage, damaged signs, and overgrown vegetation—will be systematically addressed through this road improvement plan. The Council has identified approximately £2 million from available funds, with the remaining funds to be allocated in future years.
Since the start of this year, demand for road maintenance in Somerset has increased significantly, with 16,332 defect reports received as of February 20, far exceeding the 4,417 reports during the same period last year.
To support the implementation of the road improvement plan, the Council has more than doubled the number of repair teams and is using alternative materials to speed up progress. Currently, 35 dedicated teams have repaired 4,577 potholes. Repairs are completed within a timeframe ranging from two hours to 28 days, depending on their urgency. The road improvement plan proposal will be submitted for consideration ahead of next week's full Council budget debate, aiming to enhance residents' travel experience and the quality of regional infrastructure through systematic maintenance.
