"We appreciate the public's patience and understanding as we continue our work to address the pothole issues caused by the recent heavy rainfall," said Minister of Public Works, Lt. Col. the Hon. David A. Burch, OBE (Mil), ED, JP, MP, in an update on the Ministry's repair efforts.
The Minister thanks the public for their patience during this challenging period. Contrary to speculations, Minister Burch would like to clarify that the repair efforts have not been hampered by staff vacancies within the Department of Works and Engineering.
The main obstacle the Ministry faces had been with the continued heavy rainfall, which occurred during a short period. That continuous downpour resulted in an overwhelming number of potholes appearing all at once.
Minister Burch added: "I should note that the repairs are not being delayed due to staff vacancies, but rather with the sheer volume of potholes that have formed in such a short period.
“Since May, our potholes@gov.bm email account has received just over 100 emails from the public with complaints about potholes.”
Furthermore, the Minister addressed the perception that potholes reappear quickly after repairs.
Minister Burch explained: "It is worth noting that some of the re-emerged potholes are a result of older repairs from two or three years ago.
"These older repairs are more susceptible to damage from the heavy rains we have experienced recently. We are prioritising these areas to ensure the longevity of restorations in the future.
“The Ministry is currently re-assessing the state of all roads in the Island. This review will identify the state of all roads (public & private), the cost of repairs/repaving, and outline how to increase the pace of road paving planned for this year and next.
“I navigate the same roads as everyone else, experiencing the bumps and potholes firsthand. After upgrading our infrastructure through extensive trenching, I look forward to increased permanent road paving.