Poor state of county roads blamed on the pandemic

THE poor state of Gloucestershire’s roads is due to the impact Covid is having on supply chains and workers, county councillors heard.

Opposition councillors have been calling on the county council for a radical review of the way it delivers highways services.

This comes after 43,000 potholes were reported in 2021 – a considerable increase on recent years.

But Shire Hall highways bosses have defended the service and explained how the coronavirus pandemic had contributed to the poor state of the roads.

Highways and flood cabinet member Vernon Smith (Con, Tewkesbury East) said he understood the frustration from other councillors but accused the opposition of sapping staff morale.

“While we are all tucking into turkey, munching mince pies, making ourselves safe and warm, our highways staff will be out there gritting the network and making it safe,” Cllr Smith reminded last week’s council meeting.

“The pandemic has caused the most enormous problems in supply chain disruption.

“Staff isolation, social distanced working result in being unable to move out or deliver at any certain time.”

He said the council would set up a task group to address the issues affecting highways.

Councillor Joe Harris (Lib Dem, Cirencester Beeches) acknowledged that highways operatives did a fantastic job on the front line.

He said any criticism the public had with the state of the roads should be aimed at the Tory administration.

“All we get is excuses, excuses, excuses,” he said, adding that a more collaborative approach with district and parish councils was needed to tackle the problem.

Councillor Graham Morgan (Lab, Cinderford) also said highways workers did a good job but the county council fell down on road maintenance.