Calls for more funding as Cornwall faces £270m pothole repair backlog
Over 22,500 potholes were fixed in Cornwall in 2020
It has been revealed that Cornwall is currently facing a £270 million backlog in road repairs and maintenance.
The latest figures show highways crews fixed over 22,500 potholes across the Duchy in 2020, that works out to around 62 a day.
But Cornwall Council is calling for better funding for our roads to help put an end to the problem.
Council investment will see an extra £20m spent on our roads by the end of this year – so far this funding has seen more than 500 roads resurfaced, improving safety and preventing an estimated 2,400 potholes from forming in the first place.
With National Pothole Day (15th January) putting the focus on the quality and safety of the country’s highway network, Cornwall Council hopes it will also highlight the need for better funding at national level.
There is currently a £270m backlog in road maintenance and repairs on Cornwall’s 7,300km highway network.
“We all rely on our highway network and road maintenance is a topic that regularly features in our residents’ surveys.
“Making the best use of our resources and targeting funding to where it is most needed has meant Cornwall’s main A and B roads continue to rank among the top 25% in the country.
“But more investment is needed – particularly on minor roads in towns and on our rural network – to carry out work to prevent potholes forming in the first place.”
Councillor Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport
Heavy rainfall at the end of 2020 saw crews deal with more than 300 reports of potholes and flooding across Cornwall during the 11 days between Christmas Eve and January 3rd.
Teams from Cormac responded swiftly to reports of damaged roads, repairing more than 249 potholes and damaged road surfaces, as well as clearing debris from gullies and drains to alleviate flooding which affected many main routes connecting communities.
You can report highway defects online and track the progress of the action being taken here.