WHAT IS A POTHOLE?

WHAT IS A POTHOLE? According to Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) a pothole is “a sharp edged depression anywhere in the carriageway where part or all of the surface layers have been removed” and “its maximum horizontal dimension is greater than 250mm and is greater than 40mm deep on strategic roads, main distributors and secondary distributors or greater than 50mm deep on local access roads and link roads.”

Potholes come in two flavours: Category 1 and Category 2. A pothole greater than 75mm in depth is Category 1. Between 50mm and 75mm it could be Cat 1 or 2 depending on where it is in the carriageway. Anything less than 50mm won’t be repaired unless it is on a strategic road. Category 1 defects should be repaired within 5 working days. Category 2 defects in the road should be repaired within calendar months.

NCC is reviewing its definitions and categories of potholes and changes may be introduced, particularly in light of a new Department of Transport Code of Practice, which is expected in October 2018. If there is any consultation on these issues Northants CALC will let member councils know.