Councillor Mark Ieronimo, portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council went ‘back to the floor’ with the highway operations team.
The hands-on experience, which took place on Tuesday 4 August, gave Cllr Ieronimo an insight into the vital work carried out to keep the city’s transport infrastructure safe and reliable.
The team are made up of 26 operatives working across 12 teams and are responsible for responding to around 590 jobs per month – using approximately 3,500 tonnes of tarmac every year.
The team delivers a wide range of activities, including pothole repairs, resurfacing works, railing repairs, kerb and bollard replacements, and winter gritting operations, helping to keep Hull moving all year round.
On the day, Councillor Ieronimo observed a pothole repair on an off-road cycle lane, on Leads Road, opposite the allotments. The damaged section of surfacing was cut out and removed using a jackhammer before a tack coat was applied to help bond the new material. Fresh tarmac was then laid, compacted using a wacker plate and sealed at the edges to create a long-lasting repair.
In the afternoon, Councillor Ieronimo joined a second team, who were carrying out railing repairs after barriers had been damaged by a vehicle collision.
The work involved breaking out the concrete around the damaged railing using a jackhammer, before removing and replacing. Old railings are recycled or reused wherever possible.
Speaking about the day, Councillor Ieronimo said: “Spending time with the highway operations team gave me a real appreciation of the wide range of work they carry out every day and the challenges they face working on busy roads and across the highway network.
“From repairing potholes and replacing railings to responding to emergencies at short notice, the team play a crucial role in keeping our roads and footways safe.
“It was particularly impressive to see how proactive the operatives are, identifying and addressing issues wherever possible while already out on site. Their dedication and hard work often goes unseen, but it makes a real difference to residents across the city.”
The highway operatives work closely with the council’s highways’ inspectors, who continually assess the transport network for defects. Residents are also encouraged to report any problems.
To report a road or footpath defect, visit Report road and pavement defects | Hull