Potholes and Promises: Shrewsbury Residents Demand Better Roads Ahead of Local Elections

As the local election approaches on May 1, residents of Shrewsbury, particularly Gerard Duffy, voice their frustration over the dismal state of the roads in Shropshire. Duffy, who describes the roads in his hometown as ”appalling”, highlights the embarrassing quality of road repairs, expressing his concerns over the lack of transparency regarding community investment funds from developers. He notes that driving conditions, marked by potholes and ineffective temporary fixes, have become a significant source of discontent.

Duffy longs for clarification on the community infrastructure levy that should be contributing to road improvements, yet he finds it difficult to get information from local authorities. Philip Gillam, a local councillor, admits that resurfacing plans are on hold, which further frustrates residents worried about their tax money not being allocated effectively to essential repairs.

The current policies from the Conservative-run Shropshire Council focus on addressing dangerous defects promptly but critics argue that they only patch up roads rather than performing comprehensive repairs, leading to a cycle of degradation.

Candidates from various parties in Duffy’s ward, Oteley & Reabrook, have presented their platforms concerning road maintenance. The Liberal Democrats promise faster pothole repairs and a review of current spending, the Conservatives boast increased pothole repairs, while the Greens advocate for a more substantial commitment to sustainable transport options and proper funding for existing roads. The Labour Party emphasizes a comprehensive service review across council operations, and Reform UK proposes an immediate blitz on potholes.

With less than a month until the elections, the state of the roads remains a pivotal issue, challenging voters in Shrewsbury to consider who will truly act on their needs regarding the public infrastructure that impacts their daily lives.