TELFORD & WREKIN Council’s new ruling Labour group today vowed to wage war on the menace of potholes which has seen the borough’s roads voted among the worst in the country.

Town hall chiefs want to target resources more effectively and have ordered a complete review of all roadworks ordered by the Conservatives when the group ran the authority.

The review will look at all planned repairs and the state of the roads earmarked for work.

Councillor Richard Overton, deputy leader of the council, said: “At the election we undertook to carry out a review of road repair spending and we know pot- holes are a major concern for motorists across Telford with a recent AA survey showing our roads as the third worst in the country.

“Despite this, over the last four years we have seen money hived off from the urban part of Telford to be spent in rural areas where, often, the roads are in a relatively good state of repair.

“We need a more equitable approach to road repairs which prioritises need and reflects the state of the roads, not the whims of Tory councillors.

“I have heard reports of roads only repaired a few months ago and pothole-free having new works there while roads across the town are crumbling.

“Where rural roads need attention they will be prioritised alongside roads in Brookside, Woodside, Madeley, Oakengates, Wellington and other parts of Telford.

“It is wrong that rural or urban areas get special treatment. Repairs must be on the basis of need, not political point-scoring.”

Councillor Overton said he would be working with Councillor Hilda Rhodes, cabinet member for transport, and officers of the council to review all planned road works and prioritise them on the basis of need.

The success of a Pothole Busters campaign across Telford & Wrekin over the last two years has prompted the council’s ruling Labour group to call for the review having previously vowed to make the potholes problem a top priority in its forthcoming budget.

Roads across the borough were left in desperate need of extra investment after two crippling Arctic winters took their toll. The council announced last month it had repaired 26,500 potholes since the launch of the campaign.

By Simon Hardy