Puzzled

In common with many UK towns, Northampton is home to many potholes. Most don't get dealt with as 'there's no money'.

Imagine my surprise at 9am on a Sunday morning to see this group of 5 workmen and a foreman clustered around a very modest and seemingly unimportant hole in this town centre road. No doubt they were on overtime rates too. I wonder what gave this little hole VIP (Very Important Pothole) status?