A massive 280 per cent more potholes have been repaired in Torfaen over the last few weeks after snow and ice caused widespread damage to roads.
Work to repair potholes in Torfaen has intensified after extensive damage caused by the worst freezing weather for 30 years.
During January and so far this month, 3,783 square meters of road have been patched with Tarmac compared to 1,345 square meters over the same period last year.
Some £350,000 from Council reserves has now been committed to making repairs and the Council will also benefit from £55,000 of Welsh Assembly cash to tackle the problem.
And next month the Council is due to start a £255,000 programme of works to completely resurface some of the worst effected areas.
The rest of the money set aside by the Council is helping to fund patching works.
Councillor John Cunningham, Executive Member for Operational Services, said: “We are now facing the worst pothole problem caused by freezing temperatures for years.
“We are trying to make road repairs as soon as possible but it will take time as there is widespread damage and new pot holes are frequently appearing.
“There is a public expectation that we should be able to fix all potholes quickly, but, because of limited resources, this is not always possible unless it is a safety issue and the problem could be exacerbated over the coming weeks with more freezing weather predicted.”
The repeated freeze-thaw cycle of the prolonged cold spell is being blamed for making the problem worse this time of year.
Potholes are formed by water penetrating the road surface through cracks caused by traffic. When temperatures plunge, the water freezes, expands and causes the surface to rupture.
