Call for Investment to fix potholes

A Powys councillor has called for a major roads re-think as the county faces a massive bill to repair frost damaged roads.

As repair works begin the councillor has demanded a change in priorities and a switch to preventative road repair.

Councillor Russell George, who is also the Conservative Assembly Candidate for Montgomeryshire, has called for a change to road maintenance in Mid Wales and an end to the culture of continuous short-term fixes for potholes.

“The Welsh Assembly Government should be providing the much needed finance to councils, and we are now in a position where the council is continually struggling to get on top of these problems.“

“It is time for the Welsh government to reassess priorities and get us out of this culture of short-term fixes. Rather than being reactive, we must consider earlier intervention and maintenance of our highways.”

Paul Hill of Newtown Tyres on the Mochdre Industrial Estate, said:

“We have seen an increased number of vehicles coming in as a result of damage caused by uneven road surfaces.

"Wheel alignment and balance can be affected if vehicles drive over untreated potholes."

Councillor George said, “I have noticed a significant amount of potholes in the Welshpool and Newtown areas”

“In South Wales there has been investment in a preventative road repair scheme. That decision has paid off, the work has proved a huge success, and money has been saved in the long run”