Residents in Shirley are grappling with deteriorating roads that have been described as “nightmare” and “horrific” conditions, prompting safety concerns and calls for urgent repairs.
The spotlight on Shirley’s roads intensified following reports that Solihull Council could face compensation claims exceeding £200,000 from drivers and pedestrians who have suffered injuries or vehicle damage due to potholes. The council is responsible for maintaining approximately 600 miles of public highway valued at around £1.3 billion.
In response, Solihull Council recently revealed plans to repair about 17 miles of roads and fix roughly 1,850 potholes in the upcoming financial year. To better understand the issue, a visit was made to Kingshurst Road, located between Lindridge Road and Loxley Avenue, where resurfacing work is scheduled.
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During this inspection, small potholes were observed alongside deeper ones near drainage areas, as well as cracks caused by nearby tree roots. One resident on Kingshurst Road acknowledged that while their area does suffer from sinking roads and noise issues, the more severe potholes can be found in neighbouring streets. “There are much worse than this street… I have sympathy for the council – it is partly due to the weather,” they explained.
Another local resident painted a grimmer picture of areas closer to Birmingham, noting, “They are bad, it’s terrible but some are horrific going toward Birmingham. You have to look out for the potholes because they are quite deep. When I drive I’m weaving around them – it’s an accident waiting to happen.”
A significant pothole was also pointed out at the junction of Loxley Avenue and Burman Road. Despite previous repair attempts, it quickly reappears with drivers often forced to swerve around it. A nearby resident shared, “They tried to repair it but it comes back again. People round here are just used to it.”
At a recent full council meeting, Councillor Ken Hawkins, cabinet portfolio holder for environment and infrastructure, addressed concerns by clarifying that while the roads are not “crumbling,” the freeze-thaw weather conditions in January created a “perfect storm” impacting road surfaces across the country. He added that Solihull Council has performed well compared to other local authorities and assured the public that any potholes reported would be “dealt with quickly.”
While the council gears up to address the issue, Shirley residents remain cautious as they navigate the ongoing hazards on their roads.