Monmouthshire County Council has agreed changes aimed at improving how potholes are repaired and how residents are kept updated about road conditions across the county.

The changes were approved by full council, in response to concerns raised by residents and councillors about the condition of local roads.  Over the past 12 months, the council has reviewed how potholes are reported, inspected, prioritised and repaired, as well as increasing the budget for highways maintenance.

As part of the changes, the council will invest in new pothole repair equipment, including a Bobcat Skid Steer. This will help highways teams carry out more permanent repairs and reduce the need for repeat visits, while still responding quickly to urgent safety issues. A more durable repair material will also be used during colder and wetter weather to help repairs last longer.

Improvements will also be made to the council’s online service portal, My Monmouthshire, making it easier for residents to report issues, add photos, see progress updates and avoid duplicate reports.

The council also plans to create two additional highways inspector posts. These roles would help the council assess reports more quickly, plan repairs more effectively and give communities clearer information about upcoming work.

Cllr Catrin Maby, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “We know potholes are a real concern for people across Monmouthshire. Residents want to know that when they report a problem, it will be looked at, prioritised and repaired in the right way.

“These changes are about improving how we respond, making the best use of the tools and materials available to us, and keeping residents better informed about the work being done on our roads.”

The council will monitor the changes over the next two years to understand how they are helping improve the highways service for residents and road users across Monmouthshire.

To find out more about reporting potholes or the work being carried out, please visit: www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/highways/potholes/