Road repairs have more than quadrupled across Dudley borough as council bosses pledge another £1 million boost to blitz potholes and other defects on the highway this year.

More than 44,000 square metres of roads have been repaired so far this financial year (2021/22) thanks to an extra £1million in the council’s budget at the start of the year. The huge figure dwarfs the 9,957 square metres of repairs the previous financial year (2020/21).

Highways bosses have pledged another £1 milllion as part of the budget proposals, which if approved by councillors in March, will see the central pot grow again from April this year. If approved, the total budget will be £8.3 million the same as last financial year – far greater than the £7.2 million invested the previous 12 months (2020/21). Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member responsible for highways, said:

"We are investing more in our roads and tackling more potholes and defects than ever before. The extra money we have invested has helped create an extra eight crews identifying and tackling road defects which has had a huge impact.

"People have told us this is important to them and we have acted on that information. We have to make sure we keep on top of the continuous battle with road defects and that means continued investment."

This year the council plans to spend £8.3 million repairing the roads of the borough. That is the highest figure spent in the past five years – £7.2 million in 2020/21, £5.4 million in 2019/20, £7.7 million in 2018/19 and £7.3 million in 2017/18. Extra crews are also out and about spotting and repairing defects in the road.

There are lots of ways for people to report potholes and other issues to the council including by calling Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345 or via the council’s website at dudley.gov.uk.