Barnhurst Lane in Bilbrook, Wolverhampton, has remained closed for more than a month due to severe pothole damage that has made the road unsafe for drivers. Originally shut on February 19 and expected to reopen by February 26, the road is still closed, forcing motorists to follow lengthy diversions via Wobaston Road and The Droveway.
Concerns about the road’s condition have been widely expressed by local residents. Simon Bright voiced doubts about the quality of the repairs, warning it may only be a temporary fix without addressing blocked drains — the root cause of the damage. Another resident described the road as having “more craters than the moon,” highlighting the extent of the pothole problem.
The road was labeled as “dangerous” by frequent user Steve Cooper, who emphasized the hazard especially for motorcyclists. Tracie Painter called for comprehensive resurfacing rather than a quick patch-up to prevent the damage from returning within weeks.
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Bilbrook Parish Council initially posted a closure notice but later removed it and clarified their limited role in road repairs. While they monitor and report hazardous potholes to Staffordshire County Council Highways, they lack the authority and equipment to make repairs themselves. They urged residents to report dangerous potholes with reference numbers to expedite action and noted that repairs depend on the County Council’s schedule.
Peter Mason, Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways at Staffordshire County Council, acknowledged that years of underfunding and recent wet weather have increased the volume of emergency pothole repairs by 25% compared to last year. Though some repairs have been completed on Barnhurst Lane, more extensive work is planned in the coming weeks to fully restore the road’s safety before reopening.
He also highlighted that the council has allocated an extra £15 million over the next two years to tackle pothole backlogs across the region. The recently launched Roadmap to a Better Network aims to improve response times and repair quality, with a clear commitment to delivering visible improvements for local residents.