Dramatic fall in the number of potholes

The number of potholes reported in the Black Country and Staffordshire has seen a dramatic drop since last year, thanks in part to the mild winter.

In Dudley, potholes nearly halved from 468 in the winter of 2010-11 to 243 so far this winter.

Staffordshire County Council said it has identified 2,303 potholes between October 1 and January 10, compared with 3,070 for the same period in 2010-11.

Councillors said the reason for the drop was more to do with increased investment in the road network than the weather.

County councillor Mike Maryon, cabinet member for transport, said the improvements as a result of £30 million investment in the highways were finally bringing results.

He said: "The mild winter has helped, but we have had three horrible winters, so it's more negative than positive. It's really down to the extra we invested in 2009.

"The network was falling to pieces, and it's not curing everything overnight as it takes time, but we need even more investment."

Councillor Patrick Harley, highways member for Dudley Council, said: "The reduction in the number of potholes is due to the huge investment that Dudley has made in its highways maintenance programme.

"People are now beginning to see the benefits of this.

"A mild winter does help, although the winter is not yet through, but mostly it is due to investment."

In Walsall, where there were 800 potholes reported between October 2011 and so far this year, the council is planning to save £20,000 a year by changing its pothole repair service.

Instead of getting repairs completed with 24 hours of a report of damage to the carriageway surface, it will take five days, which councillors say will result in a cheaper but better service.