Fight stepped up to repair pothole-riddled North Staffordshire roads
A community leader is stepping up his campaign for pothole-riddled roads and pavements to be repaired - after waiting more than a year for action. Stafford borough councillor Alec Sandiford is complaining about the Windmill Hill area of Meir Heath - including Hilderstone Road, Common Lane, and Windmill Hill.
He wants the potholes fixed, drains unblocked, and water leaks repaired. Now he is slapping Staffordshire County Council with a Section 56 notice under the Highways Act 1980 to try to speed up the repairs.
In a letter to council chief executive Pat Flaherty, Mr Sandiford said: "This issue has been repeatedly brought to my attention by residents who feel completely let down by the lack of action from the council, despite numerous assurances that repairs would be undertaken. In addition to the already poor condition of the roads, which pose significant safety risks, there has been a persistent issue of leaking on the roads and pavements for several months, with no action taken to resolve it.
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"This ongoing leakage, combined with inadequate drainage and blocked grids, requires urgent attention. With autumn and winter fast approaching, there is a real and growing concern among residents about the safety of using these roads and pathways, particularly as the weather deteriorates.
"I have been informed by residents of multiple incidents where individuals, including elderly residents, wheelchair users, and parents pushing prams, have fallen while trying to navigate the unsafe pathways. The situation is becoming increasingly dire, and the community’s frustration is understandable.
"Given the continued inaction, I am now in a position where a Section 56 notice under the Highways Act 1980 appears to be the only remaining option to compel the necessary repairs and maintenance. However, I am hopeful that the council will take immediate and decisive action to address these issues before such measures become necessary.
"The residents of Meir Heath deserve better. I urge you to prioritise the repairs to the roads and pavements, address the drainage and grid issues, and ensure that the area is made safe for all users before the situation worsens with the impending seasonal weather changes."
The council has pledged to carry out repairs in the area within weeks.
Councillor Mark Deaville, cabinet member for strategic highways, said: “Our highways crews are aware of the condition of the road at Windmill Hill, in Meir Heath, which is why we have already scheduled a huge £450,000 repair scheme to take place there from late October to mid-December.
“We understand the importance of maintaining our roads for everyone’s safety and to keep the county connected. This is why we have invested £50 million into improving Staffordshire’s roads over the next three years. Since we announced an additional £8 million being invested in fixing more roads in May, our crews have repaired more than 11,300 potholes. That amounts to a 19 per cent increase in defects repaired compared to this time last year.”