Potholes on the Radio

October 2017

Devon County Council’s ‘Report a Pothole’ interactive web service has been praised by reporters on BBC Radio Devon.

The system, which has been developed by W.D.M. Limited, was highlighted after a driver in Plymouth claimed damages from the council after his car was allegedly damaged by a pothole.

The story was featured on the Gordon Sparks morning programme on Radio Devon. Reporter Richard Green told listeners how he’d used the interactive map on the County Council’s website to report potholes near his home, which were repaired within two to three weeks.

Richard Green reported how it is also possible to view faults that have already been reported on the map, view the current status of each fault and register for automated updates. On the day of his story, there were 775 potholes either being repaired or awaiting repairs.

He asked listeners to “do your civic duty” and report a pothole when they see it. “The council can’t drive around all day looking for potholes to be fixed,” he said. “Why not go online if you see one and report it? You can even track when it’s repaired!”

WDM® developed the process known as Public Information Portal or ‘PIP’ as part of their Integrated Highway Asset Management System.

Faults reported online are instantly allocated to a neighbourhood highways officer to review the information. If work is required, the defects will be forwarded to the council's maintenance contractor to action.

Repair teams receive the detail of the fault on new 'tough' tablets, which means when using the county's broadband infrastructure and the mobile network, they get the information in real time, without needing to return to a highways depot for instructions.

The team assess the fault and where possible repair it, or as a minimum make it safe, in line with the council's agreed standards.

Ian Cadwallader, Software Development Manager at WDM®, says the programme not only increases direct access for members of the public to report problems, but gives the council greater control over its assets.

 “The software increases both communication and efficiency of operation, enabling the authority to carry out effective repairs without undue delay. Members of the public reporting faults also get peace of mind from the knowledge that their voice can make a difference,” he said.

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