App to alert councils to UK potholes

App to alert councils to UK potholes

A new smartphone app to pinpoint UK road potholes is being made available to Android users after proving successful on iOS based models.

Developed by National Cycling Charity CTC, the app allows users to report to the local council about the presence of potholes on UK roads, so that something can be done to fill them in.

Potholes can be the bane of driver's lives, causing tyres to burst, increasing petrol usage and sometimes causing accidents.

The government has now provided £30,000 for the continued development of the app, which could soon be available for over 26 million people.

Roads minister Robert Goodwill said the government is "serious" about tackling potholes, as they pose a danger to both motorists and cyclists.

“Filling potholes in quickly is only one half of the story. Research has also shown a long-term approach to road maintenance, rather than patch and mend, can save councils and taxpayers money and potentially save lives thanks to better road conditions,” he added.

The app ensures that up-to-the-minute information is given to local authorities, so the issue can be resolved in the fastest possible time. In addition to making the roads safer, the app is expected to save the taxpayer money if more extensive repairs are carried out.

Posted by Craig Salter