Hertfordshire: Multi-million pound boost for pothole repairs

With £3,952,000, Hertfordshire County Council aims to double the number of potholes fixed and protect roads from damage before next winter.

The government’s Pothole Fund will finance up to 20,000 additional pothole repairs across the county, taking the total of repairs to an expected 40,000 this year.

This comes as Liberal Democrat spokesperson for highways and transport at HCC, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, claimed: "Conservative-run Hertfordshire County Council failed to fix over 50 per cent of reported potholes in the year to May 2023."

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The councillor raised the question to the county council, to which they said "they had 2,892 customer reported defects in the year to May 19, 2023, of Category 2 (non-urgent defects) but had only fixed 1,402 of them leaving 1,490 or 51.5 per cent unfixed".

He added: "This compared badly with the year to May 2022 when of the 2,189 defects reported 1,401 were fixed leaving just 788 open or 36 per cent.

With £3,952,000, Hertfordshire Council Council aims to double the number of potholes fixed and protect roads from damage before next winter. (Image: Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats)

"This is shocking news and seems to link to a major decline in service levels.

"Whilst the number of faults increased, it's clear the county council is failing to fix them quick enough leaving over half untouched.

This is not just a safety issue, especially for cyclists, but could lead to increased costs as the potholes get bigger and wider. The county council must do better. This is just not good enough."

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In response, HCC said: "Planned works for the current year include repairs and maintenance to pavements, roads, bridges and traffic signals, as well as improvements such as tackling safety problems, reducing traffic congestion, and making walking and cycling more practical and attractive.

Whilst the number of faults increased it's clear the county council is failing to fix them quick enough leaving over half untouched. (Image: Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats)

"It also includes £7m for smaller schemes that county councillors have identified as important for their areas."

Councillor Phil Bibby, executive member for highways and transport, said: “We know that the condition and safety of the county’s road, pavements and cycleways really matter to our residents, and it matters to us too.

“We are prioritising work where it most needed and where it will have the greatest impact. This investment will make a real difference and help us to do even more to ensure Hertfordshire has the infrastructure our communities need.”