Pothole patrols are scouring the roads of Lichfield and Burntwood to repair surfaces damaged during the coldest December for a century.
Staffordshire Highways inspectors have found around 600 new potholes across the county in the past month and have already repaired half of them.
But more are expected to appear as the winter weather continues to affect the region’s roads.
Staffordshire County Councillor Mike Maryon, Cabinet member for Highways and Road Safety, said:
“I’d like to assure motorists that the crews are pulling out all the stops to identify and temporarily fill potholes that have been created by the freezing weather.
“Additional manpower has been drafted in from all sections of the highways team in a bid to repair the potholes which have ravaged our roads as the temperatures of the carriageways have plummeted this year.
“This is a particularly difficult task during long periods of very cold weather like we have experienced, with temperatures down to as low as -14 degrees. Repairs cannot be carried out at these low temperatures as they are much less durable if carried out below plus three degrees.
“Road safety is a top priority for the county council and I would urge residents to bear with us while we carry out this challenging work as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Potholes are caused when snow and rainwater seep into the road surface. During cold nights, the water freezes and expands, cracking the tarmac and creating a hole.
Cllr Maryon added:
“We need to take a systematic approach to prioritising potholes. The most dangerous are always dealt with within 24 hours. We have to be realistic about what we can achieve.
“Crews have been diverted from some other tasks such as neighbourhood highways projects and permanent repairs will have to wait until the end of the winter, but the urgent action now will keep the public safe.
“As always we would ask for help locating potentially dangerous defects as our inspectors cannot be everywhere at once and a serious pothole can open up overnight. Anyone with concerns should ring 0300 111 8000.”