'Time for proper fix on Sheffield potholes, not patches that last just weeks'
Concerned councillors are calling for lasting repairs on Sheffield’s potholed roads, amid concerns of holes re-appearing in just weeks or months.
Sheffield Council’s Lib Dems say they are concerned that current repairs look like a sticking plaster rather than a proper solution, following an urgent all-councillor briefing which was held this week amid an avalanche of constituent complaints.
A wave of complaints about potholes on the city’s roads has been received by the authorities after one of the wettest Januarys on record, and Amey, who are contracted to repair Sheffield’s roads, have announced that they are doubling the size of their repairs team, and say they will use more resilient materials.
Councillor Martin Smith said: "Doubling the teams is welcome, but it's only welcome if the repairs actually last
“What we're seeing is the same roads failing again and again. Amey patches a pothole, it breaks up within weeks, and the whole cycle starts over.
“That isn't value for money - it's a sticking plaster on a broken bone. We're pushing for a proper assessment of which roads need to be fully rebuilt to a standard that can actually cope with the traffic they're carrying."
Liberal Democrat councillors have raised serious concerns about the quality of recent repairs, including:
> Pothole fixes failing shortly after being laid
> Resurfaced roads disintegrating within months
> Loose gravel from fracturing surfaces creating hazards for motorists and cyclists
> Some roads repeatedly failing because they were never built to cope with current traffic volumes
They are now calling on Amey to look into fully reconstructing the most repeatedly-failing roads rather than patching the same problems over and over again.
Sheffield residents can report potholes to the council at sheffield.gov.uk/roads-pavements/report-road-problems
Peter Anderson, Managing Director of Amey's Transport Infrastructure Team, said: “Recent severe weather has had a significant impact across the UK, and we recognise the concerns and frustrations locally and are acting quickly to address them.
“[On Tuesday] Amey met with councillors to discuss the action we are taking and provide an update on the situation.
“Through the long‑term Streets Ahead programme, Amey has already been investing heavily in resurfacing and maintaining the city’s roads, and that commitment continues.
“Our focus remains on delivering lasting improvements while addressing immediate issues.
“We are using more resilient repair materials, adding more teams to deal with potholes and are scheduling permanent repairs as soon as conditions allow.
You can sign up to The Star’s daily Sheffield and South Yorkshire briefing to get the key headlines, travel and sport in one quick email.
"All work is delivered to agreed quality standards, monitored jointly with the council.
“Our priority is supporting a reliable, safe road network for Sheffield - both now and in the years ahead.
“We would urge the residents to continue to report potholes so that repairs can be prioritised and carried out as quickly and effectively as possible.”
Amey is Sheffield City Council’s private sector roads partner, paid £2.2bn over 25-years to maintain streets and pick up litter.