Shropshire Council Launches Dedicated Team to Check Pothole Repairs

Shropshire Council is introducing a new inspection team to monitor the quality of pothole repairs carried out across the county’s road network.

The authority says the move forms part of a tougher new approach aimed at improving repair standards and ensuring contractors are held accountable for poor workmanship.

According to reports from the Shropshire Star, the council is implementing a more rigorous inspection process for completed highway repairs after concerns that some pothole fixes were failing too quickly.

Council leader Heather Kidd said road maintenance standards had not been monitored closely enough in the past, allowing substandard repairs to go unchecked.

She explained that the council has now reorganised its repair programme and appointed a local contractor with a strong track record to carry out a large proportion of future maintenance work. In addition, Shropshire has secured around £1.5 million in extra government funding to support additional road repairs.

Under the revised system, newly appointed inspectors will assess completed repair works across the county. If repairs fail to meet the required standard, contractors will be instructed to carry out the work again.

Kidd said several inspectors are already in place, with further recruitment expected as the programme expands.

The council acknowledged that potholes are likely to remain an ongoing issue because of the heavy use and condition of local roads. However, officials are encouraging residents to continue reporting new potholes, incomplete repairs and poorly signposted diversions so issues can be addressed more quickly.

The announcement follows recent reports that residents in some Shropshire villages are also taking part in pilot schemes involving minor road repair work as councils continue searching for new ways to manage growing maintenance pressures on local highways.