Council employs emergency powers to speed up road repairs in the county

Buckinghamshire Council is using emergency powers to fast-track essential road repairs as it continues to tackle head on the current state of the roads under the Buckinghamshire Highways contract.

Given the adverse impact of the winter weather on the condition of the roads, which is an issue experienced across the country, the council will be using its emergency powers, alongside the flexibility of the new highway contracts, to fast track a number of essential road repairs.

Unfortunately, the normal period of advance notice to residents will not always be possible, but the council believes that undertaking the road repairs are the most important issue at this time and will endeavour to advise local communities and businesses in the immediate vicinity via letter drops. If this is not possible, the council will ensure that any inconvenience or disruption is minimal whilst the essential repairs and improvements are done.

The following urgent works are being scheduled in for the next few days:

  • A413 Wendover Road, Aylesbury (junction with Wendover Way) – Thursday 4 May for four night-time shifts, but not with bank holiday weekend. Works will therefore be completed on the night of 10 May. The road will be open but with temporary surface (new binder course) and no road markings over the Coronation bank holiday weekend.
  • A355, Beaconsfield Road, Farnham Common – Tuesday 9 May for one night shift. Works are scheduled to commence from 12m south of Ingleglen for a distance of 61m, (30m south of junction of Templewood Lane) and include 25m into Templewood Lane. Works Comprise of 100mm in-lay carriageway resurfacing and is programmed to be complete in a single night.

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:

"Sometimes, we may not be able to give as much advance notice as we'd like for emergency road repairs. However, getting the repairs done as quickly as possible is our top priority right now.

“We'll do our best to let nearby businesses and communities know with letter drops, but if that's not possible, we apologise in advance. Just know that we'll keep any disturbance to a minimum while we carry out these essential repairs and improvements."

In addition to the above, Buckinghamshire Council will also have ten gangs carrying out patching and pothole repairs, a further three jet patching crews and more teams conducting gulley cleansing, street lighting repairs and more – which will cause a lot of activity on the highway in the coming weeks and months.