Hope in sight for ‘slalom’ road in Wolverhampton described as one of the most potholed in the UK

Barnhurst Lane in Wolverhampton has been closed to traffic this week as long-awaited repair works finally begin on what has been widely described as one of the most potholed roads in the country.

The stretch of road, linking South Staffordshire to the West Midlands, has gained notoriety in recent years for its severely damaged surface, with drivers comparing the route to a “slalom course” due to the sheer number of craters scattered along its length.

Residents and regular users have repeatedly raised concerns about vehicle damage, safety risks, and the lack of lasting repairs, with one local comparing driving down the ravaged surface to ‘driving on the moon.’

Now, highways teams have moved in to begin resurfacing work, prompting a full closure while improvements are carried out.

Local adventurer and walker Harry Kendall, who has frequently travelled along the lane, welcomed the development but remained cautious about its long-term impact.

“It’s the worst road I’ve come across,” he said. “Driving down it is like a slalom, you have to weave your way around all the potholes and that causes its own problems.

“This work on it is a start but we’ll have to see how things progress over time really won’t we? I think they should just do the whole lot because it’s been patched up before and then has gone on to get worse.

“It is good to see something happening with it though, and at least you’ll be able to drive on it now for a few weeks.”

For years, Barnhurst Lane has been plagued by repeated patch repairs that have failed to address the underlying deterioration of the road surface. Critics argue that short-term fixes have ultimately led to worsening conditions, with potholes reappearing and expanding after periods of heavy traffic and poor weather.

In February, County councillor for Codsall Val Chapman said: "I'm very unhappy about it, it's a dreadful road, I would very much like it to be sorted, but it seems I am between a rock and a hard place."

Councillor Patrick Allen, cabinet member for highways at Staffordshire County Council, added: "Years of underfunding from government and the recent wet weather have put real pressure on our roads, with emergency pothole repairs up 25 per cent compared to last year.

"More substantial works to address the remaining issues are being scheduled as part of planned works in the coming weeks. This approach allows us to get the road reopened as quickly and safely as possible while ensuring the longer‑term repairs are delivered effectively.”