Shocking conditions of Wolverhampton roads revealed as three potholes reported per day
Three potholes a day are being reported to highways chiefs in Wolverhampton, new figures have revealed.
The deteriorating state of the city’s roads and soaring number of pothole complaints has been laid bare by the latest figures obtained in a Freedom of Information request.
It comes as it is revealed the city council spent £1.2m on repairing potholes over the 2016/17 financial year.
In 2015, members the public reported 699 potholes, last year 781 and this year, up to May 16 alone, there were 519 complaints - the equivalent of three a day.
People can report potholes to the council via its website. In 2015 the authority carried out 1,493 repairs, last year 1,982 and so far this year, 644.
Recent work carried out includes the reconstruction and resurfacing of the A449 Stafford Road between Gorsebrook Road Island and Oxley Moor Road.
The project was financed a Department for Transport grant.
A council spokesman said: “City of Wolverhampton Council follows a nationally recognised code of practice for highways maintenance management and accordingly has in place a system of inspection.
“This is supplemented with a reactive maintenance programme which repairs defects which are reported to us in-between inspections and a strategic maintenance programme where roads are completely resurfaced to be kept in the best condition.”
Potholes have also led to compensation claims for vehicle damage. So far this year, the council has paid out £3,578 in compensation. Last year it was £5,781 and the year before it was £3,123.
Wendy Thompson, leader of the council opposition, said: “Some of our roads are in a really bad state and that is a worry for motorists because it is not cheap to have your car fixed if it is damaged by a pothole, there is also safety issues to think.
“However, we seem to have roadworks on our main roads quite often, so you would hope that the situation would be improving.
“I think the council needs to look at the money it spends on fixing roads very closely and make sure that money is helping as much as it possibly can, this is a huge issue for any local council.”
