Walsall potholes will be left in cash-cutting move
Fewer pothole-ravaged roads in Walsall will be repaired under plans to cut £180,000 of funding towards emergency work, it has emerged.
Cash towards fixing potholes is poised to be reduced by 20 per cent in the next two years under Walsall Council proposals.
It comes despite a warning the reduction in funding for emergency highway and footpath repairs could leave the authority exposed to more insurance claims.
It is the latest blow to motorists amid proposals to introduce parking charges in district centres across the borough, sparking petitions.
The reactive highway maintenance budget is used to cover damage to the road, guardrails and footways. Under the saving plans the reduced budget would be introduced in 2016/17.
A report to the council as part of budget proposals states: "This savings proposal reduces the reactive highway maintenance budget by £180,000 which is 20 per cent of the total budget.
"This money is used to pay for reactive and emergency repairs to the highway including damage to guardrails, potholes and trip hazards on footways.
"Highway maintenance claims have the potential to place the council at significant financial risk.
"If the council is unable to carry out as many emergency repairs as it currently does it will inevitably be placed at greater risk of increased risk and insurance claims and the costs associated with dealing with claims matters.
It adds: "Less maintenance will mean that pedestrians and road users are placed at greater risk of injury and damage. This will mean that there are fewer works orders placed with our term contractor Lafarge Tarmac."
Motorists and shoppers have already shown opposition to plans for a £1 charge for four hours on council-run sites in Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston and Willenhall. The aim is to rake in £100,000 next year.
A petition in Willenhall has already attracted around 1,100 signatures. Pay-and-display machines are proposed for locations including Gomer Street, Hall Street and Wolverhampton Street.
But community organisation Willenhall Ay We Action Group has said the move will hit trade in the town that has suffered from the closure of a number of lock factories and foundries in recent years.
Across the district centres around 800 spaces have been earmarked for fees to be introduced. Town hall transport bosses say the cash raised by the move will be invested in maintaining and cleaning car parks. The council needs to save £86 million from its budget over the next four years.
