Councils in England will struggle to repair potholes caused by extreme winter weather because of a £165 million shortfall in funding, the Local Government Association warned today.

The lobbying organisation, which represents more than 350 councils, said highways departments would be hit by cuts as they begin to survey the damage caused by the worst December weather in a century.

Maintenance and repairs during the winter freeze has already plunged one Black Country council around £350,000 over budget, as bosses reveal they are bracing themselves for more expense.

Potholes occur where water repeatedly freezes and expands in cracks in the road, leaving holes which can damage vehicles.

Dudley Council has set up a £1million contingency fund to help cover the cost of gritting and damages caused by the severe cold snap.

So far, the extra expense has been met by “careful control” of the environmental management budget – but a report to the council reveals that further cold weather could cost an extra £400,000, and warns its bank balance will not be able to absorb the impact.

The report states: “This could be the most challenging winter maintenance period for over 100 years.

“If severe conditions continue for the rest of the winter, it is unlikely that the further overspend of up to £400,000 that would result, or the knock-on impact on road maintenance, could be met within the existing budget.”

A contingency fund of £1million — set up to cover unexpected expenses along with fluctuations in inflation — was first set up in April last year.

Council bosses have now recommended that in light of the increasing financial pressures caused by cold weather in the past few years, the fund should remain in place.

Dudley Council ordered 6,500 tons of grit before the big freeze set in – but by mid-January had used 4,500 tons and said they would be monitoring the situation to see whether additional stocks were needed.

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton City Council head of streetscene services, Steve Woodward, said the authority was currently “broadly” in line for winter spending targets, but said officers would be keeping a close eye on the situation.
“It may change depending on what sort of weather conditions we experience over the next couple of months, which are, traditionally, our busiest period,” he added.
Last year, local authorities fixed more than two million potholes, after receiving an extra £100 million on top of their budget for road repairs, according to the LGA.
But from April, councils will receive £65 million less from the Highways Maintenance Budget. The allowance for road repairs in 2010/2011 is £871 million, dropping to £806 million next year and £779 million the year after, the LGA said.
By 2013/2014, the Highways Maintenance Budget is expected to be £750 million and £707 million in 2014/2015.