11,000 potholes reported in four years on Sandwell roads

A Freedom of Information request to Sandwell Council has revealed that 1,742 have been reported in 2019 alone.

It comes after bosses at the authority revealed more than £330,000 was spent on repairing the borough's roads from January 2017 to September this year.

A total of 3,051 potholes were reported in 2018, with 1,990 in 2017, 2,073 in 2016 and 2,512 in 2015, the figures show.

Councillor Yvonne Davies, leader of Sandwell Council, said the authority is looking at an automated system to improve the speed of filling in potholes.

She said: "I think it's a bit of an issue everywhere. It seems like the weather we're having is causing more and more problems with potholes.

"We have a dedicated fund from the Government but then potholes all seem to come at the same time every year.

"We have a reporting line at the council, so I promise if people take the trouble to report the potholes then it will be put on the general rota and the work will get done.

"Clearly there's a delay between reporting it and the work being carried out which can be frustrating.

"We're looking at organising an automated reply, so people know the problems listed are being acted upon."

Jane Fox from Oldbury said the potholes were becoming a "major problem".

She said: "You have to drive really carefully sometimes to get over them, it's becoming a major problem.

"I'm always worried about my car – that'll cost me a lot of money if I end up getting a flat tyre.

"It really needs to be sorted. It's unacceptable. How much money is this costing drivers here? It must be thousands."

Sandwell Council chiefs have previously said the varying weather had caused a spike in pothole reports last year, with the country hit with freezing temperatures.

It led to considerable damage across the 540 miles of roads across the borough.

Potholes classed as dangerous are made safe within five working days, with a permanent repair completed as soon as possible.