UPDATE: Dudley Council is under fire for its slow response to dangerous potholes, with residents reportedly waiting for repairs for up to two months. The Labour opposition has called for immediate action from Conservative leaders to address the growing frustration over road safety in the borough.
The council, responsible for 1,033 km of highways, has an amber rating for road maintenance from the government. Official data reveals that the Conservative-led authority filled 2,706 potholes in the 2024/25 fiscal year, yet concerns persist about the time it takes to address reported issues.
Cllr Shaukat Ali, Labour’s deputy leader, highlighted troubling examples of delays in his St Thomas’s ward, stating, “To acknowledge a dangerous pothole and then suggest people should wait months – or longer – for repairs is completely unacceptable.”
Residents in Market Street, Stourbridge, are particularly affected. A local resident described the situation, saying, “If people park opposite it, cars can’t avoid it; it is about time something was done about it.” Repairs on this notorious pothole have now begun, but Labour is demanding a shift toward preventive measures instead of reactive fixes.
Looking ahead, Dudley Council has outlined a plan for the 2025/26 year, allocating £2.4 million for resurfacing 15.7 km of roads and £3 million on reconstructing 12.1 km. Additionally, they will spend £150,000 on surface treatments for 3.7 km of highways and £500,000 on structural patching and maintenance. However, only six percent of the highway maintenance budget will be dedicated to preventive work, raising further concerns among residents.
Cllr Parmjit Sahota, shadow cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, criticized the council’s approach, stating, “Residents don’t need reports to tell them the roads are in poor condition – they see it every day.” He emphasized that the council is “constantly playing catch-up” instead of implementing a proactive strategy.
As frustration mounts over the state of Dudley’s roads, residents are demanding immediate change. The council’s strategy, involving a “nighttime blitz” to repair defects on busy roads, aims to address the issue but has yet to quell public anger. Repairing 30,000 square meters of potholes will cost around £1.3 million, but many believe that more comprehensive preventive measures are necessary to ensure long-term safety.
With the council’s upcoming budget discussions, the pressure is on for Dudley to prioritize road maintenance and address the urgent needs of its residents. What happens next could determine the future state of the borough’s roads and the safety of its drivers.
