Millions of pounds will be slashed from road maintenance projects in Staffordshire next year, it has emerged. County council chiefs are planning to cut £4 million.

The figure is included in the authority’s draft budget for 2012/13. Bosses today moved to reassure motorists that vital repairs to main routes would continue to be carried out urgently.

The council claims the savings will be made by negotiating better deals with contractors and introducing improved computer systems that speed up council response times.

Highways councillor Mike Maryon said: “Our priorities will be A and B roads because the are the arteries of the economy.

“C roads are third in the list – as George Orwell might say, all roads are equal but some are more equal than others.”

The highways budget for the next financial year is yet to be set but chiefs are budgeting to spend £4m less than they had previously expected.

Last year the county council spent £75.7m on road maintenance but it was unclear today whether they will spend more or less next year. The budget will be agreed in February.

Councillor Maryon added: “We are reviewing every aspect of the highways operation to ensure our service delivers maximum efficiency for Staffordshire taxpayers. This has been an ongoing process since we came into power in 2009.

“To make this possible, we have introduced hi-tech computer systems which have enabled us to provide a high quality, good value service.

“We are constantly reviewing our contracts to make sure that we have the best deal available and the entire department is undergoing a rigorous review.

“We are always looking for innovative ways to save money while providing some of the best front-line highways services in the country.”

Last winter, pothole patrols toured the county for a 14-week period in a blitz to repair road defects caused by the harsh weather.

By Mark Mudie