A NEW £7-million programme of repairs is underway on Devon's roads.

The extensive scheme is being carried out as part of routine inspections on the entire length of Devon County Council's 8,000-mile highway network.

Due to the amount of damage caused to the county's roads over the winter, specialist repair teams will work in advance of the usual monitoring teams to find, identify and permanently fix potholes, or carry out interim repairs on more minor roads.

This work will be audited within two weeks during the inspections, and any additional defects which are found will be dealt with by further teams dealing with emergency repairs.

The previous winter had left Devon with an estimated repair bill of more than £11-million over and above that of a normal winter, and this year is expected to exceed that figure following the lowest temperatures for 30 years.

The county council has responded with rapid response teams carrying out temporary repairs to ensure that Devon's roads remain as safe as possible.

They have filled more than 47,000 potholes in just over two months, taking the pothole repairs during the financial year for 2009/10 to around 85,000.

That compares with 40,000 potholes filled in 2009, which was double the usual amount fixed during a normal year.

This latest programme of investment in repairing Devon's roads is in addition to the £3.6-million funding grant announced recently by the Government.

Potholes and safety defects on the county's roads can be reported online at http://www.devon.gov.uk">www.devon.gov.uk or by calling 0845 155 1004.