2,000 Cannock Chase potholes repaired
Repairs to more than 2,000 potholes have been carried out on roads in the Cannock Chase district in the past year.
Highways bosses say efforts are under way to prevent the ruts from appearing in the first place.
The move followed complaints that not enough is being done to keep on top of the problems in Rugeley and Cannock.
However, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for transport, Councillor Mark Winnington said there has been significant investment in highways in the Rugeley area in particular in the past 12 months.
He also said the worst potholes are repaired within 24 hours of being reported.
He said: "As a county council we know that good roads are important for residents, for businesses and for the economy and that's why we continue to make significant investment in the district's infrastructure.
"During the last year, alone around £4.65 million has been invested in the area, including the development of the Rugeley public realm, £130,000 on Rugeley cycle improvements and more than £1.2 million in structural maintenance projects to make the area an even better place to live, work and visit.
"Our highways crews have also fixed a further 2,000 potholes in the district in the past year and, while we continue to repair those posing the greatest safety risk to motorists on the same day, we want focus more on measures to prevent potholes from occurring in the first place."
Traders and councillors earlier this month told the Cannock Chase town centre regeneration police committee that uneven pavements and potholes were causing a trip hazard for shoppers. They claimed problems were reported in Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley.
They also agreed to invite Councillor Winnington to attend fresh talks about a range of highways issues affecting pedestrians and motorists.
Last year the council received £500,000 from the Government to fix thousands of potholes as part of a total £6.6 million potholes cash pot which was shared with neighbouring boroughs.
Staffordshire's share will be used to fill 86,000 holes.
Workmen already tackle more than 400 every week with the help of four Roadmaster vehicles, known as 'zapping machines', that fix additional ruts and resurface 'hotspots' on stretches of road in one go.
The machines, being rented by the council are positioned in Gailey, Cannock, Stone and in the Staffordshire Moorlands.
