East End Asphalt is back up and running after being out of operation for 50 days due to routine maintenance.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, said his team, which had been relying on the plant for back-up services because the Government plant had been out of operation since last summer, had now “ramped up efforts” to address the condition of the roads.

The ministry said its highways teams had embarked on an “extensive pothole repair campaign”, focusing on critical areas that have suffered as a result of record levels of rainfall.

Starting this week, one crew began work on North Shore Road, moving from the East End Asphalt site at Blue Hole westward towards Spanish Point.

Another team initiated repairs on South Road, heading west from Hamilton Parish.

The ministry said the Collector's Hill area in Smith's was “in desperate need of paving and repair” but that it was a particularly complex area.

A spokesman for the ministry said: “Repairs in this area require careful planning to avoid disrupting the traffic light system and those preparations are under way."

Colonel Burch added: “[On Tuesday] our crews will be deployed in several key locations to continue their work. One team will be working on the Causeway, another crew will initiate repairs on Tee Street and Middle Road, in Devonshire, progressing towards Cavendish Road.

“Additionally, a third crew will advance their work along South Road, moving west from Hamilton Parish through to Smith’s and into Devonshire Parish.

“These works are part of a broader strategy to rapidly respond to the damage, caused mainly by the adverse weather conditions.”

Travis Gilbert, East End Asphalt’s general manager, said his team had celebrated on Sunday evening after a prolonged period of getting the facility in shape.

Mr Gilbert told The Royal Gazette: “Usually we are only down for about four weeks but because of the nature of the work, a substantial refitting that was a major piece of the puzzle we wanted to get resolved, the plant was down for 50 days.

“I want to focus on the staff who do a brilliant job. They spent 50 days working very hard on this project, some of them away from their families.

“Our welders, mechanics, electricians, those guys who make things work, I’m proud of what they did.”

The public are encouraged to continue to report potholes via the potholes@gov.bm e-mail address.