Pothole repairs to continue as highways teams prepare for winter.

Shropshire Council will continue its work to repair roads across the county this winter – but is reminding road users that a cold, wet winter is likely to see an increase in potholes and other defects.

Since the start of this year, more than 32,000 potholes have been repaired across Shropshire – an average of more than 740 a week since August – and highways teams from the council and its contractors will continue to go out in the coming weeks, weather permitting.

However, winter is the time of year when potholes most commonly appear as a result of wet and cold conditions – a situation faced by other councils across the country.

David Vasmer, Cabinet member for highways, said:

“We have teams out every day repairing potholes and improving the county’s roads, and this work will continue over the winter wherever possible. But, unfortunately, winter is also the time when new potholes are most likely to appear.

“Water gets into cracks in the road, then freezes and expands. Last winter was very wet and cold and we saw a big increase in the number and severity of potholes. Another cold, wet winter may mean that we see the same again this year. We’re working hard to tackle potholes but if there is a big rise again this winter in the number and severity of potholes it won’t be possible to tackle them all at once. Similarly it won’t always be possible to make permanent repairs due to emergencies or where road conditions don’t allow.

“So, on occasions we may resort to a temporary safety repair until we can return in better weather to make a permanent repair.

“We’re also hoping that the weather this winter is a little kinder than it was last year, but if we do see an increase in potholes we ask people to be patient as we tackle the pothole backlog.”

Potholes can be reported via the council website and the Fix My Street app.