Lib Dems to crack down on poor quality road repairs

The Liberal Democrats in charge of Shropshire Council are taking steps to deal with poor quality road repairs that were ignored for years under the previous administration.

Shropshire Council's Leader, Lib Dem Councillor Heather Kidd said, “A lack of Council inspections in the past allowed indifferent workmanship by contractors to go unchallenged, with poor quality repairs lasting only a few months before crumbling.”

The Liberal Democrats have made road repairs and maintenance one of their top priorities with 30,000 pot holes repaired across Shropshire since they took control of the council in May 2025.

“We are introducing a team of inspectors to examine all completed road repairs and if they are not up to standard, we will insist the work is redone by the contractor at no extra cost to council-tax payers," said Councillor Kidd. "The first road-repair inspectors have already been hired.”

Shropshire has one of the longest road networks in England. A study by the BBC found that Shropshire Council had paid out £1,033,236 in pothole compensation claims between April 2020 and March 2025, when it was run by the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats are determined to get that figure down, so that more money can be spent on fixing the county's roads instead of paying out for claims.

Pothole repair teams have already been expanded by the Lib Dems and innovative repair vehicles such as Multihogs and Roadmasters are being used increase the number of repairs.

In addition to 92 stretches of road due for resurfacing, a further 71 are being surface dressed. This is a preventive measure that involves sealing and strengthening roads to prevent potholes forming. Surface dressing can extend the life of a road by up to 15 years.

PHOTO: Councillor Heather Kidd examines road works in South Shropshire