How Facilities Management Teams Can Take Control of Road and Pothole Repairs

The Hidden Costs of Delayed Repairs

Traditionally, pothole repairs are outsourced to external contractors. While this has been the accepted approach, it brings several disadvantages:

• High costs: Call out fees and minimum charges can quickly add up, especially when dealing with isolated defects.
• Delays in repair: Contractors often require multiple defects to justify a visit, leaving facilities with damaged surfaces for weeks or even months.
• Increased risks: Every delay raises the likelihood of accidents, vehicle damage, and even legal claims.

The Asphalt Industry Alliance estimates that the UK faces a road repair backlog worth more than £16 billion. On a smaller scale, individual facilities also feel this impact, with potholes in car parks or access roads causing vehicle damage and trip hazards. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), slips, trips, and falls remain one of the most common causes of workplace accidents, with potholes and surface irregularities contributing to these incidents in public environments.

Prompt, proactive repair is therefore not only a cost issue but also a pressing health and safety priority.

A Smarter In House Solution with EZ Street Asphalt

Facilities management companies are increasingly turning to innovative materials that allow them to tackle road and surface defects quickly and efficiently using their own teams. One standout solution is EZ Street Asphalt, a carbon neutral cold lay asphalt available in 22kg bags and bulk sacks.

Key benefits for FM providers include:

• Simple installation: Repairs require only basic hand tools and compaction, removing the need for specialist equipment or training.
• Immediate use: Surfaces can be trafficked straight after repair, reducing disruption.
• Carbon neutral: Supports organisational sustainability and net zero targets, a growing requirement in public procurement and corporate ESG reporting.
• Long shelf life: Bags remain workable for up to 12 months, reducing waste and allowing stock to be held on site for rapid response.
• Trusted performance: EZ Street Asphalt holds independent accreditation from the British Board of Agrément (BBA), assuring quality and compliance.

A recent study has shown that using EZ Street Asphalt as a pothole repair can reduce carbon emissions by 51 percent and the cost by a similar level. This represents a huge opportunity for facilities management teams to cut costs, lower environmental impact, and deliver safer environments for the people who use them.

Why It Matters for Facilities Management

• Reduce costs by avoiding expensive external contractor call outs.
• Act faster to eliminate trip and fall hazards before they cause injury or claims.
• Enhance client satisfaction by keeping facilities fully operational and safe.
• Support sustainability with a certified carbon neutral product.

The AA has long highlighted the dangers of poorly maintained surfaces, particularly for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. For facilities managers, the risks are just as acute in car parks, access roads, and loading bays, where a single defect could compromise both safety and reputation.