🇬🇧 Maidstone is testing a low-carbon pothole repair material made from recycled textiles, with five repairs being monitored in local parks.

A pothole in Birmingham Road has received a temporary fix - but concerns have been raised on the state of the repair and how long it will last for #birmingham #news #westmidlands #potholerepair

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Drivers in Mobile often complain about rough roads. So they'll be happy that close to $5 million in resurfacing projects will begin soon. About two dozen more streets are on deck for a facelift. Tuesday, the Mobile City Council approved $4.7 million for resurfacing projects. "They have a lot of potholes," [...]

Renthia Kaimbi The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has received a whistleblower complaint alleging corruption, inflated costs, and irregularities in the awarding of N$3.4 million pothole repair contracts by the municipality of Walvis Bay. ACC spokesperson Josefina Nghituwamata confirmed receipt of the complaint in June 2025.  “The case is currently under review to determine whether it falls within the mandate of the Anti-Corruption Commission,” she said. Documents seen by the Windhoek Observer show that a tender for five pothole repair lots was changed from an open request for quotations to a “restricted bid”, selecting four contractors without public notice. The bids were not posted on the municipality’s portal, excluding other qualified competitors. The selection was allegedly made solely by roads and building controls general manager, Theo Potgieter, without standard vetting. One of the awarded companies, Vitz Investment CC, reportedly has no record of service delivery with the municipality. Questions sent to Potgieter went unanswered, and phone calls were not returned. Evidence shows inflated costs and that Gypsum G5 material, usually priced between N$100 and N$250 per cubic meter, was listed at N$900.  The same material was priced at N$170 and N$360 in competing bids. The complaint states no cost analysis was performed, and some winners subcontracted work despite prohibitions. Information obtained also alleges that Potgieter blocked public bidding to enable favouritism.  Contractors have previously accused him of bias, claiming he favoured certain companies while sidelining small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Contracts worth over N$1 million were awarded through direct procurement under the guise of “restricted bidding”.  Several firms said their queries on tender procedures, including letters to Walvis Bay chief executive officer Victoria Kapenda, went unanswered. Kapenda defended the municipality’s actions. “Section 27 of the Public Procurement Act of 2015 allows restricted procurement depending on the nature of the work,” she said. But some contractors argue that road maintenance should be subject to open competition to ensure fairness and cost efficiency.

The City of Windhoek has launched an emergency pothole repair programme following extensive road damage caused by heavy rainfall earlier this year. The programme costs a total N$324 million and started on 12 May. Municipality spokesperson Lydia Amutenya last week said two contractors have been appointed for a period of three months, each deploying six repair teams in the western suburbs (including Katutura) and six in the eastern suburbs through an approved procurement process. Amutenya said Namibia experienced significant rainfall this year, which led to widespread road damage within Windhoek. “The repair work prioritised high-traffic routes, including distributor roads and key public transport corridors, before extending to residential and access roads. This approach is intended to maximise the impact on mobility and public transport efficiency,” she said. She highlighted that preliminary cost estimates for the repairs include pothole repairs for N$15.2 million, gravel road restoration for N$38 million, and rehabilitation of severely damaged roads for N$226 million. Amutenya noted that the municipality acknowledges the inconvenience and damage caused by potholes, however, direct compensation for damages is not currently provided. “Our focus remains on urgent and sustained repair efforts to improve road conditions. Residents are urged to report damaged roads or drainage issues and to provide feedback that helps guide service delivery and prioritisation. The City of Windhoek’s focus remains on urgent and sustained repair efforts to improve road conditions,” Amutenya said. The post Windhoek launches N$300-million road rehab project appeared first on The Namibian.

Niël Terblanché The Municipality of Walvis Bay has ramped up repairs to the port town’s road infrastructure, with an in-house team currently addressing potholes and clearing debris across various parts of the town. The latest initiative runs in parallel with a larger, multi-year road rehabilitation project backed by the Roads Authority (RA) and the Roads Fund Administration (RFA). In a statement issued by the port town’s municipality, residents were advised to exercise caution around construction areas, follow signage, and cooperate with flagmen stationed on affected roads. According to the statement, updates on road closures and progress will be communicated through official channels. The road rehabilitation project, originally budgeted at N$250 million, has since received a boost, bringing the total allocation to approximately N$400 million over five years. According to the municipality, the funds allocated for Walvis Bay do not come from the municipal coffers nor are they administered by local authorities, clarifying the structure of the collaboration between local and national institutions. The initiative focuses on rehabilitating key urban roads to support the port city’s increasing traffic volumes and its role in national and regional trade. The improvements are expected to benefit both the logistics sector and the general public by reducing delays and enhancing road safety. “This joined commitment by the Municipality of Walvis Bay, RA and RFA affirms Walvis Bay’s strategic importance in Namibia’s road network and national logistics ambitions,” the statement said. Current works are concentrated in the Heavy Industrial Area, where five major roads are being upgraded. These are Allan Dean Martin Street, 3rd Street, 3rd Street East, 2nd Street, and Railway Street. These routes are crucial for moving goods between the Port of Walvis Bay and the surrounding industrial zones. According to the statement, construction on Allan Dean Martin Street is progressing using a half-width construction method, keeping one lane open to minimise traffic disruptions. So far, 200 metres of the base layer and 560 metres of the subbase have been completed, with flag personnel and signage deployed to maintain traffic flow. Work on 3rd Street is focused on replacing the existing sewer line, which the municipality says “will significantly improve underground infrastructure and long-term service reliability.” Engagement with affected businesses has been ongoing. Meetings were held both before and during construction to ensure clear communication, and building assessments were conducted to document the structural conditions before the movement of heavy machinery. According to the municipality’s statement, the repairs and upgrades are part of a broader effort to reinforce Walvis Bay’s standing as a modern and efficient port city with reliable infrastructure serving residents, industry, and regional trade corridors.

Otjiwarongo rolls Out N$92 million road upgrade project NBC Online Sat, 04/05/2025 - 14:45

Road users have been urged to be patient as rain-damaged roads will only be permanently fixed after the rainy season ends. Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja announced this during an ordinary council meeting in Windhoek yesterday. She said the municipality is unable to do any permanent road maintenance due to ongoing rainfall, but would continue with temporary pothole fixing. “The Windhoek council acknowledges the potholes on our roads due to the ongoing rainy season and the inconvenience and safety concerns it is causing for motorists and pedestrians,” she said. Larandja said a team has been dispatched to conduct temporary pothole maintenance and will continue monitoring the affected roads. She urged motorists to drive cautiously and adhere to the road rules during the rainy season by reducing speed and remaining vigilant. Larandja said permanent repair is necessary to ensure the roads are suitable for motorists. The mayor said she will ensure service delivery is not delayed during her tenure, and called on Windhoek residents to collaborate with the municipality and report issues affecting them. Larandja’s announcement comes after Landless People’s Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi voiced his disappointment in the parliament last week. Swartbooi said the size of the potholes are increasing on a daily basis, describing the situation as a danger to both motorists and pedestrians. He said the dust from filling the potholes with sand is blocking motorists’ visibility. Swartbooi has since called for urgent alternative interventions, adding that by the time the rainfall ends and potholes are fixed, no roadworthy vehicles would be left. The rains have not only damaged roads, but also bridges, with further damage predicted to continue. The post Rain-damaged roads to get permanent fixes after rainy season – motorists urged to be patient appeared first on The Namibian.

Road users have been urged to be patient as rain-damaged roads will only be permanently fixed after the rainy season ends. Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja announced this during an ordinary council meeting in Windhoek yesterday. She said the municipality is unable to do any permanent road maintenance due to ongoing rainfall, but would continue with temporary pothole fixing. “The Windhoek council acknowledges the potholes on our roads due to the ongoing rainy season and the inconvenience and safety concerns it is causing for motorists and pedestrians,” she said. Larandja said a team has been dispatched to conduct temporary pothole maintenance and will continue monitoring the affected roads. She urged motorists to drive cautiously and adhere to the road rules during the rainy season by reducing speed and remaining vigilant. Larandja said permanent repair is necessary to ensure the roads are suitable for motorists. The mayor said she will ensure service delivery is not delayed during her tenure, and called on Windhoek residents to collaborate with the municipality and report issues affecting them. Larandja’s announcement comes after Landless People’s Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi voiced his disappointment in the parliament last week. Swartbooi said the size of the potholes are increasing on a daily basis, describing the situation as a danger to both motorists and pedestrians. He said the dust from filling the potholes with sand is blocking motorists’ visibility. Swartbooi has since called for urgent alternative interventions, adding that by the time the rainfall ends and potholes are fixed, no roadworthy vehicles would be left. The rains have not only damaged roads, but also bridges, with further damage predicted to continue. The post Rain-damaged roads to get permanent fixes after rainy season – motorists urged to be patient appeared first on The Namibian.

Goreangab residents take action to fix Eveline Street potholes NBC Online Mon, 03/31/2025 - 17:26