Islington Lib Dems announce emergency pothole repair fund

5.42.00pm GMT Wed 3rd Feb 2010

Council leader Terry Stacy assessing a broken road surface with leading local Liberal Democrat activists Caspar and Ursula Woolley.

Islington's Liberal Democrat council leaders have launched a new million-pound emergency fund to repair roads - after this winter's cold weather, ice, and snow caused a severe deterioration in road surfaces across the borough.

Potholes have been caused by the freeze-thaw weathering of road surfaces. Water penetrates the tarmac through small cracks - and when temperatures plummeted to the lowest in Britain for 30 years, this water froze and expanded, causing the road surface to break up.

Lib Dem council leader Terry Stacy said:

"Anyone who travels around London knows how hard this winter's big freeze has been on our road surfaces, with large potholes appearing almost overnight. The longer we leave this the worse it is going to get, which is why the Liberal Democrats are taking decisive action by committing a million pounds to an emergency fund to fill in these potholes.

"It's a big sum - but if left, the winter's damage will deteriorate further. Prompt work will save money in the long run, as well as improving conditions quickly for the benefit of residents - whether they walk, drive, or cycle around Islington."

Residents are encouraged to report potholes by calling the council on 0207 527 2000, by email to contact@islington.gov.uk, or online at: http://www.islington.gov.uk/Doit/Onlineforms/reportproblem.asp