Dudley Councillors Urge Immediate Action as Pothole Map Reveals Growing Road Crisis

Councillors in Dudley have taken a hands-on approach to highlight the growing pothole crisis in their ward, mapping nearly 120 damaged road spots in Netherton and Holly Hall. Cllrs Qasim Mughal and Shaneila Mughal say the findings expose the council’s ongoing failure to address pothole repairs effectively.

The Labour councillors submitted their detailed pothole map to council leaders, arguing that despite significant additional funding from the Combined Authority and the government, repairs remain sluggish and inadequate. “We are fed up with reporting potholes only to see them ignored or receiving substandard patchwork,” the Mughal councillors stated. “Residents deserve safe streets, not endless excuses.”

Their concerns are reinforced by a recent red rating from the Department of Transport, signaling Dudley’s road repair efforts fall short of best practices. “This red rating confirms what residents have known for some time – Dudley’s roads are not being fixed properly,” they added. “We have done the council’s homework by identifying and mapping every pothole. Now urgent action is needed.”

In response, Dudley’s Conservative-led council acknowledges a surge in pothole reports due to harsh winter weather, receiving 6,000 reports by early March—already more than half of last year’s total. Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, emphasized that tackling potholes is a “national issue” but reassured that teams are actively repairing roads.

“We have moved beyond short-term fixes and are investing in long-term road improvement programs,” said Cllr Phipps. “Last year, over 25,000 square meters of road were repaired, with ongoing night-time operations to accelerate work.”

Despite these assurances, local councillors maintain that more decisive and swift measures are necessary to provide residents with the safe, well-maintained roads they deserve.