Our Ref: 11770  

Dear Mr Dixon,

INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request for information which will be dealt with under
the terms of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, we
will let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

If you have any queries about this matter please contact us. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Kind regards,
 
Julia

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

Our Ref: 11770  

Dear Enquirer,
Request for Information

I refer to your request for information in relation to numbers of potholes
reported and repaired. 

The Council have considered your request for information under the terms
of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. In our view the request
falls within the scope of the broad definition of environmental
information contained within Regulation 2(1) of the Regulations.

Right of Access

The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 provide that a public
authority that holds environmental information shall make it available on
request. The Regulations create a general right of access to environmental
information held by public authorities subject to various exceptions. A
public authority may refuse to disclose environmental information if an
exception to disclosure applies and the public authority decides that in
all the circumstances the public interest in maintaining the exception
outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Council has carefully considered whether the information requested can
be disclosed under the Regulations.

Q.1 The number of potholes reported in 2022

Please note the below data comprises of all actionable highway defects
which have been assessed either following a 3rd party report to determine
the associated risk and categorised as requiring the following repairs:   

·        Repair or make safe within 2 hours (1VH)   

·        Repair or make safe during the next working day (1H)  

·        Repair within 14 days (2H)   

·        Repair within 28 days (2M).   

There were 7152 surface defects reported to the Council by third parties
on carriageways in 2022

Q.2 The number of potholes repaired in 2022

Please note the below data comprises of all actionable highway defects
which have been assessed either following a 3rd party report to determine
the associated risk and categorised as requiring the following repairs:   

·        Repair or make safe within 2 hours (1VH)   

·        Repair or make safe during the next working day (1H)  

·        Repair within 14 days (2H)   

·        Repair within 28 days (2M).   

Of defects reported to the Council by third parties, there were 2432
surface defects repaired in 2022

From 2022-13/01/23 total Carriageway potholes repaired from third party
reports and safety inspections was 27,837.

Advice and Assistance

The Council recognises its statutory duty to provide advice and assistance
under Regulation 9 of the Regulations. Subject to the provision of the
Regulations, the Council is seeking to be transparent and open in its
response.

Representations and Reconsideration

If you consider that the Council has failed to comply with a requirement
of the Regulations in relation to your request, you have a right to make
representations under Regulation 11. Representations must be made in
writing to the Council no later than 40 working days after the date on
which you believe that the Council failed to comply with a requirement of
the Regulations.

Any representation should be addressed to:

Information Governance Office, Northumberland County Council, County Hall,
Morpeth, NE61 2EF
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]

Enforcement and Appeal Provisions

Should you remain dissatisfied following the above process, you have a
right under the Regulations to apply to the Information Commissioner for a
decision as to whether your request has been dealt with in accordance with
the requirements of the Regulations. The Information Commissioners address
is:

The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane,
Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113, Email: [email address]

Yours faithfully,

EIR Coordinator - Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
NE61 2EF

Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]