Highways maintenance in Stoke-on-Trent is a 'good news story' – despite the potholes, councillors have said.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is on course to exceed its target of reconditioning 50 miles of roads in 2023/24, with 48 miles resurfaced up to the end of December.

Carol Gibbs, director of housing, development and growth, told scrutiny committee members that the council will have 'well exceeded' the target for the whole of the year. Scrutiny committee member Diane Williams, who is also a cabinet support member, suggested that the highways officers deserved to be praised for this achievement, following previous 'negative' stories about potholes.

Earlier this month, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported how 978 drivers made successful claims against the city council over pothole damage to their vehicles over the last four years – including 403 in 2023/23.

Diane Williams suggested the highways officers deserved praise for their achievements (Image supplied).

Cllr Williams said: "If we're doing well on this I think we need to thank the highways team. It's one of those things that's always in the paper, it's always about potholes, but this is a good news story, and we should be congratulating people for that, because all we hear is negative.

"I know the roads are in a bad state, but the fact that we are doing something about it should be recognised."

Committee chair Gurmeet Singh Kallar said he 'totally agreed' with Cllr Williams, and said that Amjid Wazir, cabinet member responsible for highways, also deserved praise.

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