Spotlight on state of Shropshire's roads

The figures, which form part of the Government's Road Conditions in England report, also show 19 per cent of Shropshire's unclassified roads require maintenance for the period 2013/14.

In comparison with figures for 2012/13, the figures for the maintenance of A, B and C roads have improved by one per cent, while those for unclassified roads have stayed the same.

In Telford & Wrekin, A roads in need of repair remain the same as last year at one per cent. The percentage of B and C roads in need of repair has reduced from nine per cent to five per cent in the last 12 months.

The report also shows the number of unclassified roads needing maintenance is 13 per cent, down by nine per cent compared with 2012/13.

Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council say they are continuing to invest heavily in the roads that they are responsible for.

Claire Wild, Shropshire Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We're continuing to invest in the local highway network to make the most of the funding available and to preserve the condition of the network.

Major roadworks which have been taking place on the outskirts of Shrewsbury are set to be completed soon. The £8.4 million scheme at Shrewsbury's Emstrey and Preston Boats islands was scheduled to finish in December but has faced several setbacks. The Highways Agency has said it is now due to be completed this month.

Work at Preston Boats junction will retain the roundabout but include "smart" traffic lights on all approaches.

New wider approaches are being finished off at Emstrey island which will have three lanes when it fully reopens.

Meanwhile, the final phase of works to the Box Road in Telford is expected to be finished by the end of this month.

They are part of the £11.8 million project to improve the roads around the centre of Telford, which includes work to convert the Box Road to two-way traffic to ease access to the centre and make it safer for walkers.

Last year it was revealed potholes will be targeted with almost £2.7 million of extra cash awarded to Shropshire.

Shropshire Council was set to receive £2.24 million while Telford & Wrekin was to get £420,000.

"For example, Shropshire Council is finalising the delivery of its severe weather programme, where £4.1 million was obtained from the Department of Transport, and £600,000 was also provided from highways to support this programme. This has allowed over 100 resurfacing schemes to be delivered across the county and prevent pot holes occurring. The scheme is due to be completed in early April."

Councillor Shaun Davies, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: "A two-year highways capital investment programme has been developed and is being delivered throughout the borough.

"Hundreds of road maintenance schemes have been investigated and assessed."

MPs and transport groups in Shropshire say particular care needs to be given to improving road verges, gritting and clearing the roads of mess.

It comes after new figures show 10 per cent of B and C roads, and 19 per cent of unclassified roads in Shropshire require maintenance.

Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, said: "Rural roads around the constituency are definitely an issue.

"I have noticed when roads are gritted and cleared of muck and mess, the rural roads are not as maintained as much as some of the main roads in Shrewsbury.

"If any roads are a particular issue I am happy to raise them with the Highways Agency."

John Harrison, organiser of the community bus service North Salop Wheelers, said the maintenance of road verges is a big problem.

"I think the council needs to think more carefully with what they are doing," he said.

"The biggest problems we have got are some of the vehicles are too big for the roads and the council is not repairing the verges properly. It is pretty dangerous.

"On rural roads there isn't the access for pedestrians to walk safely.

"There are potholes sometimes on bends which are really nasty."

Telford MP David Wright said: "These figures show that Telford & Wrekin Council are investing heavily in road maintenance.

"I know that further funding is coming through the Pride in Your Community programme which is central to the Labour council's investment plan for our town.

"I'll continue to lobby for more funding from central government for our roads."

The AA believes that a greater proportion of motoring taxation should be ring-fenced for road improvements.

Edmund King, the AA's president, said: "On the one level it is a relief that the condition of England's local principal A roads have remained the same since the previous year with four per cent of the network needing maintenance, however unclassified roads are in a pretty dire state with 18 per cent needing work.

"Motorways and trunk roads generally have got worse in the last couple of years with three per cent of motorways and five per cent of A roads needing maintenance.

"AA patrols have reported more motorway defects as there has been a policy shift whereby motorway potholes are 'saved up' until there is a stretch that needs repairing rather than individual defects. Drivers and more importantly motorcyclists can't assume that motorway surfaces will always be smooth."

He added: "There is a bitter irony that huge amounts of public money have had to be set aside for roads during a period of austerity – after road maintenance was cut back during the boom times.

"This must not be allowed to happen again. A greater proportion of fuel duty should be ring-fenced and spent on roads."