Derbyshire County Council sorry for massive increase in potholes

The council said recent damage from snow, floods and rain were not the only problem but it was "decades in the making"

A council has written an open letter to residents apologising for the "massive increase in potholes".

Derbyshire County Council said floods, snow, and rainfall recently had led to damage, but the problem was decades in the making with ageing highways.

The letter said "we're further bumping up resources" to deal with the backlog and filling hundreds of potholes daily.

Kelly Watnall, who had a £530 repair bill due to a pothole, said it was positive the issue was being addressed.

Councillor Charlotte Cupit, cabinet member for highways assets and transport, and Julian Gould, the director of highways, said in the letter they wanted to acknowledge the problem.

It said: "We're stating the obvious to say there's been a massive increase in potholes to what we would usually see. We're sorry for this.

"Whilst we always prepare for winter, the last few months really have thrown exceptional things at us. Many communities sadly are still dealing with the destruction of October and Babet's floods (with a month of rain in a single day), November's freeze and snow, and December's double-the-usual rainfall.

"You're right though when you say this recent damage isn't the only problem: this has been decades in the making with ageing highways and reducing investment comparatively.

"We're filling hundreds of potholes each day and have extra teams on."

Ms Watnall heard a "massive bang" after going down a pothole near Ilkeston, in Derbyshire

Ms Cupit and Mr Gould said they would post updates on the situation in the next few weeks "but, crucially, we want you to see it on the roads in action".

The letter also explained they cannot always resurface every road immediately due to budget and resources.

"We're human, we use our roads too and we want to sort this," the letter said.

Ms Watnall, who was on her way home from a family meal when she hit a pothole near Ilkeston before Christmas, said: "All of a sudden I heard a massive bang and my tyre pressure went down.

"I had hit a pothole. It had damaged my alloy wheel and the tyre."

She said she had to apply for a credit card to pay for the damage, which she said "will affect my credit score for a fault that isn't mine".

Ms Watnall added: "Now I don't go down certain streets because I know there are potholes there. I am more cautious of moving out of the way of even the slightest ones."

Talking about the letter, she said: "It is a major issue affecting a lot people. If they are doing something about it, it is positive."