Government claims thousands of local potholes filled

More than 52,000 potholes across almost 100 miles of road have been fixed or prevented in Mid Wales since April last year, according to new figures from the Welsh Government.

Across Wales as a whole, around 171,000 potholes have been addressed over 324 miles of local roads during the same period. On the Strategic Road Network alone, more than 30,000 potholes have been fixed or prevented across more than 65 miles of road.

The programme has also seen widespread resurfacing. So far, 1,011 local road resurfacing schemes and 24 trunk road schemes have been completed nationwide, with further projects expected before the end of the current financial year.

The funding also supports ongoing road maintenance across Powys and the wider Mid Wales region, including routes used by drivers travelling in and out of Newtown and surrounding communities such as Caersws, Welshpool and Llanidloes.

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said road repairs remain a key priority.

“Fixing our roads is a priority for this government,” he said.

“I am delighted with the fantastic progress that’s been made since April and there’s a lot more to come.

“We have significantly increased our investment in road maintenance and preventative treatments this financial year to deliver improvements across both the strategic and local road networks.

“As well as extending the longevity of Welsh roads and critical infrastructure, this work is also helping to keep communities connected safely and sustainably which in turn will help benefit the economy.”

Drivers across the Newtown area have regularly raised concerns about potholes and road surface quality, particularly after periods of severe winter weather, with councils continuing to prioritise repairs and preventative resurfacing where funding allows.

PICTURE: Powys has the longest network of roads for any county council, including the Newtown Bypass.