‘Their dedication and hard work often goes unseen, but it makes a real difference to residents across the city’
Cllr Ieronimo with the highway operations team on Tuesday 4 August(Image: Submitted)
A senior councillor donned his high vis and went ‘back to the floor’ with Hull City Council‘s highway operations team. Cllr Mark Ieronimo, spent part of a day earlier this month getting an insight into the work carried out by the 26-strong team.
The operatives work across 12 teams and are responsible for responding to around 590 jobs per month – using approximately 3,500 tonnes of tarmac every year. They do 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, Cllr Ieronimo, who is cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads, and highways, watched 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, Cllr 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.
Cllr 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 plays 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 this page.
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