The Department for Transport will work with Gaist, a highway data and mapping company, and businesses, alongside local highway authorities to identify ‘pothole hot-spots’.

The Department of Transport has commissioned food delivery riders and drivers to report potholes that need filling.
A highway data and mapping company called Gaist will work with businesses such as Deliveroo, Tesco and Ocado, as well as Uber taxi drivers, alongside local highway authorities to identify pothole hot-spots.

Combining collated data on current potholes held by nation-wide businesses and the most up-to-date bank of roads imagery in the country from Gaist, the department will be able to paint the most comprehensive picture ever of where funding is most needed to make sure roads are not plagued by potholes.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “We’re teaming up with delivery companies, who know the roads well, in order to map out where remaining potholes exist and then relentlessly target them with our record £2.5bn to pothole repair fund.”

Charlie Wren, director of operations at Deliveroo, added: “Deliveroo riders go above and beyond to bring people the food they love and this is a great way to make sure they and other road users are safe on the road. We’re looking forward to working with the government on this important scheme to help make the roads safer for Deliveroo riders and others.”