Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am requesting the following information pertaining to road maintenance and drainage at the approximate location of (50.6970174, -3.2234604), specifically concerning the road surface and a blocked drain that has caused water overflow.
Please provide the following details for the period from July 29, 2020, to July 28, 2025:
1. Pothole Reports: The total number of potholes reported at or immediately adjacent to the approximate location (50.6970174, -3.2234604). This is the road between Steven’s Cross and Fortescue, Sidmouth.
This information is available both from the inspections that have been carried out and reports that have been made by members of the public. This can be seen via the links at:
Personal names have been redacted from the above information as the disclosure of personal information is exempted pursuant to section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
2. Temporary Pothole Repair Costs: For each reported pothole within the specified area and timeframe, please provide the individual cost of any temporary repairs undertaken.
The County Council does not hold information on the cost of individual highway safety defect repairs. Charging and paying for defect repairs is based on cost of labour plant and materials for a given geographical area for the billing period.
For the financial year 2024/25 the average cost of pothole repairs including all materials, plant, labour, traffic management, sub-contractor and overhead costs :
Pothole repair below 0.5 sq m £127
Pothole repair 0.5 sq m to 4 sq m £342
3. Recent Surfacing Costs: The total cost of any recent permanent surfacing or resurfacing work carried out at or directly adjacent to the approximate location (50.6970174, -3.2234604). Please specify the date(s) of this work.
Please refer to the costs set out in response to question 2 and dates in response to question 1. We can further confirm that the whole length of Fortescue Road has been patched in preparation for Surface Dressing.
4. Drainage Flushing Costs: The total cost associated with flushing or cleaning the specific drain that was blocked for approximately five years and caused water to flow over the road surface, contributing to the formation of potholes. Please provide the costs and dates for each attempted flushing for the entire five-year period leading up to its recent cleaning this year.
The highway feature at this location is a culvert which our records indicate was attended most recently on the 24th Aug 24, 21st Jan 25 & 17th Mar 25. The County Council does not hold information on the cost of attendance at individual highway drainage features. Charging and paying for attendance is based on cost of labour plant and materials for a given geographical area for the billing period.
5. Justification for Drainage Delay: A detailed justification or explanation for why the aforementioned drain was not cleaned or addressed until the current year, despite being blocked for an extended period (approximately five years) and causing water to flow over the road surface.
Our records indicate that in addition to the above cleans, this feature has been attended annually. Previous dates include the 16th Sept 24, 31st July 23, 1st Sept 22, 19th July 21 & 16th Oct 20.