Plaid Cymru councillor Steve Skivens is demanding swift action by Caerphilly Council to end the potholes crisis plaguing the area.
A Freedom of Information request revealed that 56 pothole repairs had been carried on just one stretch of road – Groeswen Road – in Councillor Skivens’ ward in less than two years at a cost of more than £9,o00.
Mair Arthur (pictured), landlady at the White Cross Inn in Groeswen, summed up the impact of the pothole crisis on her business: “I have complained frequently to Caerphilly Council, as the road deterioration has impacted on my business. Taxi firms have stopped calling to my pub in the village due to damage to their vehicles. Council repaired potholes on January 9. It is now February and they are back - washed-out repairs with some 5.5 inches deep holes reappearing.
“It’s a complete waste of time and money while my business, the chapel and our village are becoming inaccessible.”
Councillor Steve Skivens added: “Nearly everyone that contacts me has a story about potholes and it’s getting worse. The people of Groeswen are suffering and they are far from the only one’s.
“But what’s going wrong, why is it so bad these days, why is so much of taxpayer’s money falling into holes in the road?
“Some people have blamed climate change and weather patterns. Others say poor workmanship and methods and traffic volumes are responsible.
“But what is clear is that our roads are wearing out. We don’t need short-term measures, we must spend more on resurfacing. But in 2023-24 the budget for resurfacing was cut from £3.4m to £1.1m and in the last financial year cut further to £739,000. Surprise, surprise the roads deteriorate significantly.
“Although the budget has been boosted in 2025-26, everyone is paying the price for the shorter term attitude and spending cuts of this Labour council.
“There’s also the issue of the standard of work on roads and pavements carried out by statutory undertakers. I revealed last year that a total 106 complaints were raised against companies over defects covering a two year period whichhad to be repaired – 62 of them involving Dwr Cymru, Welsh Water.
Councillor Steve Skivens added: “It is time the Labour controlled council and particularly the highways department took swift action on the potholes menace. They must do better when we are all in difficult financial times.”
More than 5,000 potholes a year are being filled in by the authority.