A COUNCIL leader has complained a pothole repair was just a 'temporary fix' - but a highways chief said they made best use of taxpayers' money to repair almost 30,000 defects in a year.

Cllr Lynn Denham, the joint leader of Worcester City Council, raised concerns about the pothole in George Street outside St Martin's Gate Car Park in Worcester with highways bosses. 

The Labour councillor said the pothole first appeared in early 2023 but, since then, does not believe enough has been done to provide a permanent fix.

She said: “An emergency repair was subsequently made, but looked like a temporary fix to me I complained later in the year.”

In December 2023 she said she was told 'the work to the potholes is complete' and that the repairs were deemed 'the most suitable to remove any safety issues over a large area, whilst also being cost effective'.

However, Cllr Mike Rouse, the cabinet member responsible for transport, defended Worcestershire County Council's record on road repairs.

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Cllr Rouse, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport, said: “In the last financial year, the County Council dealt with 27,548 defects, and our priority is always safety first.  We also have to bear in mind the disruption that comes if we have to close or restrict roads to carry out a full resurfacing job which seems to be the expectation here. 

"Sometimes a repair is all that is needed. I’m surprised that the Labour co-leader of the City Council appears to be calling for more taxpayers' money to be spent than is necessary. We only have to look at Birmingham to see how that ends." 

Information provided online by Worcester City Council says: "Potholes are a hazard that can cause road traffic accidents. Potholes should be detected and remedied through regular roadway inspection routines. If the pothole cannot be filled immediately, motorists should be warned of the hazard by appropriate traffic signs.

"With hundreds of miles of roads, cycleways and footpaths in the city, it is not possible for Worcestershire County Council to inspect all of the network all of the time. You can help us by reporting any pothole problems you see and we will endeavour to get them repaired as soon as possible."