{"id":69781,"date":"2026-05-20T16:18:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T15:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=69781"},"modified":"2026-05-20T16:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T15:18:08","slug":"council-unveils-4m-boost-road-repairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/council-unveils-4m-boost-road-repairs\/","title":{"rendered":"Council unveils \u00a34m boost for road repairs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Rapid response road repair crews will be deployed by Devon County Council as part of a \u00a34m investment made possible by careful financial planning.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council\u2019s cabinet also approved plans to extend a successful pothole repair trial for a further year, when they met today (Wednesday 20 May). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move follows the authority identifying \u00a37.8m in savings and reviewing the earlier trial in Barnstaple South, Hatherleigh, Chagford and North Tawton. <\/p>\n\n\n

\r\n\t
\r\n

At the meeting, Council Leader Julian Brazil said tight budget control, efficiency savings and demand management across services had created room to reinvest in priority areas.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cThe council is in\u00a0a\u00a0strong\u00a0position\u00a0because of\u00a0the disciplined way we have managed our finances over the past year,\u201d\u00a0he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficers have worked hard with members to ensure we are finally\u00a0reversing many years of under-investment\u00a0in our highways.\u00a0We know improving our roads is one of residents\u2019 top priorities.\u00a0Motorists\u00a0can be assured\u00a0the\u00a0county\u2019s\u00a0roads will be\u00a0in a better state next year than they are today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Julian Brazil, Leader of the Council<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

The original trial allowed highways teams to repair nearby defects while already on site, using a 500m radius from the reported pothole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around 4,000m2 of repairs were carried out, far more work than usual in a single area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent audits found all inspected repairs met the required standard, with no public concerns raised about workmanship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the 500m rule also identified more work than crews could complete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabinet heard the new trial would build on what worked, learn from the challenges of the first phase and be backed by the additional investment. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\r\n

Councillor Dan Thomas, Devon County Council\u2019s Cabinet Member for Highways, said:\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cThe trial delivered clear benefits, with extra repairs completed while inspections continued and safety defects fixed on time.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt also let us tackle smaller defects before they worsened and reduced the need for repeat visits.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know better roads are one of residents\u2019 top priorities, and this funding will help us deliver visible improvements.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is about reinvesting savings in frontline services people rely on every day and delivering real improvements for communities across Devon.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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