A borough councillor in Blythe Bridge says he's been left with no choice but to consider legal action against Staffordshire County Council after being ignored over pothole complaints.

Cllr Alec Sandiford (Lib Dem), who represents the Fulford ward on Stafford Borough Council, says he has been complaining about potholes on Ridgway Drive and Adamthwaite Drive and others nearby for several years but so far nothing has been done to fix them.

He said: "Adamthwaite Drive is in complete, absolute disrepair and is in desperate need of fixing.

"You have cars slowing down and cars going into them. There's a danger to life – not just motorists, but cyclists and pedestrians too.

The Lib Dem councillor is considering legal action against Staffordshire County Council after being ignored over pothole complaints (LDRS).

"I've been reporting the potholes now for about four and a half years. Residents around here have been reporting them for many, many years before me.

"I was asked by the county councillor to report them and get reference numbers – which I did.

Cllr Sandiford said he'd been told by the county council that financial constraints mean they have to prioritise road repairs, but feels the because the roads are being used as a cut-through route they ought to bumped up the priority list.

He said: "They should prioritise roads that actually need to be done. With the A50 closures – and the Uttoxeter road was closed for months on end – people are using this as a rat run which has made it worse.

Cllr Sandiford has started a petition and if the roads are still not repaired, will seek a Section 56 from the Highways Act (LDRS).

"I'm afraid to say when you let an area fall into disrepair, the rot kicks in – residents don't feel represented, they don't feel that when they pay their rates that they're being looked after and having their needs addressed.

"I've started a petition which is going to be handed in to the county council, and if they cannot – or will not – address the potholes Ridgeway, Adamthwaite, Blythe Close – then I'll have no choice but to seek a Section 56 from the Highways Act."

Section 56 of the Highways Act 1980 is a legal power which enables people to serve a notice on authorities to force them to repair a specific area on a publicly-maintained road that is deemed to be out of repair.

Mr Sandiford said: "To seek one of these, to put so much time and energy into it, is just ludicrous when they can come out and repair a stretch of road.

"They can bring the new JCB Pothole Pro that they're bragging about and use this as a demonstration down here."

Staffordshire County Council said it is investing money into road repairs (LDRS).

Staffordshire County Council said it recognises the need to keep the county's roads in good order, and is investing money into repairs.

Cllr David Williams (Cons), cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Good roads are important to residents, motorists and of course the economy and it is important to invest in keeping them safe and well maintained.

"This is why we recently announced an extra investment of £5 million in pothole repairs, on top of an extra £30 million investment in larger repairs and resurfacing of roads and junctions over the next two years.

"We have also recently invested around £1.2 million on the A521 Uttoxeter Road scheme in Blythe Bridge to improve the condition of the main road and pavements.

"We are aware of the defects which have been marked up and the necessary repairs will be carried out when resources are available.

"People can report highways issues on the MyStaffs App or at www.staffordshire.gov.uk."

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