Suffolk to resurface 400 roads in battle with potholes

Among those on the list is Trinity Avenue in Mildenhall - dubbed "Pothole Avenue" because of the state of the road.

A total of 421 roads will be resurfaced this year - almost twice as many as in 2023 - after the very wet winter that caused serious damage across the county.

With the start of the surface dressing programme beginning this week, 102 roads will be surface dressed with loose chipping while a further 319 will get a full machine resurfacing during the year. 

Andy Neal, West Suffolk councillor for Mildenhall, said: "I don't want to sound cynical, but I've heard this before. I'll believe it when I see the team out there on the road.

"Don't get me wrong, on the day they start I'll be cheering them on and I don't care who takes the credit - but I'll wait until they start before starting the celebrations!"

Suffolk Highways has new specialist equipment to repair roads. (Image: Suffolk Highways)

During the last six months, Suffolk Highways has repaired more than 9,000 potholes and resurfaced 41 roads, with a further 278 roads planned for resurfacing in this financial year.

New for this year, Suffolk Highways’ supply chain partner, Hazell & Jefferies, has invested in new vehicles which allow the new surface to be laid in a safer and more efficient way. 

Paul West visiting a road resurfacing team. (Image: Suffolk Highways)

Paul West, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for operational highways, said: “We are investing an extra £10 million into or surfacing programmes this year.

"We have been busy trialling new ways of repairing potholes quicker while streamlining processes to ensure we can keep on top of a challenging period when it comes to the surge of potholes we see during winter.

“I am glad that extra money going to road maintenance this year is almost double what we have seen in recent years, it remains one of our top priorities as the local highway authority.”