Staffordshire pumps extra £15m in battle to fill in potholes and ruts

The cash will be rolled out over the next two years specifically to tackle the ‘pothole backlog’, filling lower-level ruts which do not cause serious safety issues, but still need repairing in Staffordshire.

The move comes after the county's ruling Reform UK group was blamed by opposition councillors for a drop in the amount of repairs being carried out.

The most serious holes are usually repaired within 24 hours or seven days,depending on the category, as the more dangerous ones are prioritised.

The extra investment, which was announced as part of the county council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), will also allow highways teams to make decisions on where repairs are most needed, ensuring that communities see meaningful improvements in their immediate area.

Staffordshire County Council's highways chief Councillor Peter Mason said: “Residents have repeatedly highlighted potholes as a priority, and we know that they remain one of the biggest frustrations for motorists. 

"We’re committed to delivering visible improvements on local roads, and while the most serious defects will continue to be repaired with 24 hours or seven days. This funding will be used specifically to reduce the backlog of lower-level defects across the county.

“Added to this, with local teams making decisions on where to go and fix defects, we hope this will really make a difference to communities.”

“This approach is all part of our Roadmap, which is our commitment to keep Staffordshire moving and make our roads better for residents. We also hope, by investing in the pothole backlog, this will also support better co‑ordination of repair works, enabling teams to target whole areas rather than single defects. This method not only speeds up the process but also helps deliver longer‑lasting repairs and greater value for money for residents.”

The investment has come from central Government and is a key part of the council’s ongoing Roadmap to a Better Network.