Croydon Council has repaired more than 3,000 potholes since January as it steps up its work to improve the borough’s roads.
Following a successful trial earlier this year, Executive Mayor Jason Perry is launching the Council’s dedicated Pothole Patrol during the first 100 days of his new term.
Previously, a pothole spotted by an inspector or reported by a resident would be logged before the job was passed to a separate team to carry out the repair, potentially weeks later.
The new Pothole Patrol provides a faster, more efficient service. Its crews tour the borough looking for defects and carry the tools and materials needed to repair potholes there and then, wherever possible.
The patrol is already helping to bring the average repair time down to seven days, alongside urgent on-the-spot repairs. It forms part of a 20% increase in Croydon’s road maintenance budget compared with last year.
The Executive Mayor joined a Pothole Patrol crew in Chasemore Gardens, Purley, last week to see the new approach in action.
“Residents told me they wanted potholes repaired more quickly. We listened, and we acted.
“The old process could mean a pothole was reported, logged and then passed to another team to return and repair it later. Our new Pothole Patrol cuts through that delay. The team is routinely out on Croydon’s roads and, when they find a pothole, they have the tools to fix it there and then wherever possible.
“This is a common-sense change that is making the Council more efficient and getting better results for residents. We have repaired more than 3,000 potholes since January, increased investment in our roads by 20% and are getting repairs completed more quickly.
“Rebuilding pride in Croydon means getting the basics right and delivering visible improvements in every part of our borough. Better roads matter to motorists, cyclists, bus passengers and pedestrians alike. Our Pothole Patrol will keep working across Croydon to make our roads safer.”
Potholes are also identified through regular highway inspections and reports submitted by residents. Repairs are prioritised according to factors including the size and depth of the defect, traffic levels, the road’s speed limit and its proximity to places such as schools.
Residents can report potholes and other road defects through the Love Clean Streets app. The app allows users to provide an exact location and photographs, helping the Council assess the problem and arrange the appropriate response.
