A SCHEME aiming to fix potholes within 24 working hours is set to launch in areas across Ascot later this year.

Cabinet has approved a new policy to fix all reported potholes over 40 millimetres within 24 hours, regardless of the size of the road.

The pothole scheme will launch on September 1 as part of a commitment to improve highways in the Royal Borough.

Potholes over 40mm deep on roads and over 25mm deep on footway will be fixed within 24 hours regardless of which type of road or path it is located on.

Councillor Andrew Johnson, lead member for infrastructure, transport policy and housing, said: “This change to our pothole policy will mean we have some of the quickest response times to potholes in the county and beyond, and demonstrates that we take the safety of all highways users very seriously.

"We know potholes are an important issue for residents, which is why we have moved to deliver this pledge early and ensure that reports about potholes are fixed as quickly as possible."

The new pothole scheme will sit alongside the council's 'find and fix' scheme, which has proven successful and allowed the Royal Borough to accelerate works in high footfall areas without affecting the ability to respond to emergency or other routine works.

Where there is a clear need for a road to undergo a more time consuming repair, such as resurfacing, the pothole repair will be completed as part of that scheme of work to prevent duplication of work and reduce inconvenience to motorists.

All other potholes which are less than the measurements aforementioned, will be repaired within the current timeframes depending on their size or location.

Cllr Johnson added: "Delivering our key commitment of investing more than £50m in our highways and pavements over the next four years, including fixing every reported pothole within 24 working hours and introducing an inspection regime for every road - every year is one of our top priorities."