Council tackles surge in borough potholes

Teams are working across Telford to tackle a 145 per cent increase in potholes as the council ramps up its winter repair campaign.

The Out When It Counts initiative is responding to a seasonal surge caused by recent freezing temperatures.

Councillor Richard Overton, Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing and Enforcement, said: “Potholes are an unavoidable part of the colder months, but with increased transparency, improved repair methods and continued investment, Telford & Wrekin Council is working to manage defects as efficiently as possible.

“Our teams are out every day, and the improvements we’ve made to how we repair the network, means we can deliver more repairs in a shorter timeframe. We know how disruptive potholes can be, and accurate reports from residents really help us prioritise the most urgent issues. My message is clear, if you want a pothole fixed, then tell us about it.”

Between October and December, crews fixed over 500 potholes using a new method called Elastomac. This system uses recycled rubber materials to create permanent repairs while reducing carbon emissions.

A further 25 road improvement schemes are being delivered alongside the daily repair work. This includes resurfacing projects in Lawley, Madeley, Sutton Hill, Haygate, and Priorslee.

Work is also taking place in areas including Wrockwardine, Admaston, and Bratton to extend the life of the roads. The council says recent freeze-thaw cycles have led to the spike in defects.

The campaign will provide weekly updates on repairs and guidance on how the work is prioritised. Recent surveys ranked the local authority second nationally for overall highway satisfaction and among eight councils noted for reducing potholes.

Residents can report road defects directly through the council website at www.telford.gov.uk/potholes to help teams respond.