Staffordshire County Council, now under Reform UK leadership, has been criticised for a notable decrease in pothole repairs since the new administration took office earlier this year.
Data shows that from May to October, the council filled 17,826 potholes, marking a 15.1% reduction compared to 21,013 potholes repaired during the same period in 2024. Opposition politicians argue this fall occurred despite favourable summer weather and additional central government funding designated for highways.
Critics attribute the decline to new restrictions introduced by the Reform UK administration on town centre roadworks, including a three-month moratorium on non-essential urban roadworks to alleviate traffic disruption in Stafford town centre. Conservative shadow cabinet member for strategic highways, Councillor Simon Tagg, criticised the halt, stating, “We warned the new Reform administration about the risks of stopping urban town centre roadworks this summer and now we can all see the results. They have wasted some of the best summer and autumn weather in years when they could have made major improvements to our roads.”
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Labour MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, Adam Jogee, also expressed concern over the council’s performance. Despite the government allocating an extra £10.5 million for local road infrastructure, he argued, “Residents are being left with more potholes and lower standards. People are entitled to ask why performance has gone backwards and what has happened to the funding that was meant to improve matters.”
Since sweeping to power in May’s county council elections, Reform UK acknowledges the dip but insists progress is being made through a new strategic approach. Councillor Peter Mason, cabinet member for strategic highways, explained that the administration has been following the repair programme and budget set by the previous Conservative-led council.
He emphasised the focus on long-term improvements rather than short-term fixes, stating, “Our new approach means residents can look forward to better roads, long-lasting quality repairs rather than quick fixes, and maintenance works that are carefully planned and coordinated to ensure we keep the county moving. We want repairs to benefit residents for years to come and make no apologies for taking the time to get this right.”
As winter approaches, the debate over Staffordshire’s road maintenance and the effectiveness of the Reform-led council’s policies continues to intensify.