Pothole leaves councillor shocked but unsurprised

The state of potholes in a councillor's area has left him "shocked but not surprised".

Councillor Andrew Tromans, of Wollaston and Stourbridge Town, said a huge pothole on Brook Street, Stourbridge reported to him on 31 January is still there, collecting rain water to form a puddle in the road.

The Department for Transport last month published highways maintenance statistics in the West Midlands showing Dudley and Walsall both scored red, the worst rating for tackling potholes.

"I'm fully sympathetic to the limitations the council are under with budgetary controls, but it's not a good look for Dudley's road maintenance," Tromans said. The BBC has approached the council for comment.

He said despite him and locals reporting it to the council, the fact it has still gone untreated is creating disappointment and frustration among residents.

"The social contract in our country is simple, you pay your taxes and in return expect to receive good public services.

"That contract is breaking up like the road surface around Stourbridge. I understand the challenges that the recent inclement weather presents but clearly Dudley Council needs to improve its road maintenance strategy," he added.

Last week, Mayor Richard Parker announced plans for £240m to repair roads and potholes across the West Midlands from 2027.

If given the green light, the grant would be divided between Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton's local authorities.

The West Midlands Combined Authority Board will be asked to approve the plan on 13 February.

Tromans said lessons could be learned from higher performing neighbouring authorities like Sandwell.

"The Lib Dems are calling for hot-sealing potholes as standard, helping bring an end to 'bodge job Dudley'," he said.

"We need to get on top of the pothole problem and fix things so they last, not do it cheaply to end up doing it twice."

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