Potholes in Cornwall needed repairing 22,500 times in 2020

Cornwall Council said that it was these figures that were prompting it to call for better funding from the Government for the Duchy's roads, after its teams repaired more than 22,500 potholes last year.

Council investment will already see an extra £20 million spent on Cornwall's roads by the end of this year. So far this funding has seen more than 500 roads resurfaced, which the council said not only improved safety and but it estimated would also prevent 2,400 potholes from forming in the first place.

With National Pothole Day taking place today (January 15), 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 £270 million backlog in road maintenance and repairs on Cornwall’s 7,300km highway network.

Councillor Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport, said: “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 per cent 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.”

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 3.

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.

People can report highway defects to the council on online and track the progress of the action being taken via www.cornwall.gov.uk/ReportIt