The number of roads in desperate need of repair have fallen as a councillor says work to ensure they are fit for purpose continues.

New data from the Department of Transport shows that in 2023, 14 A-roads and motorways in Bolton were in need of repairs in the very near future, with just four needing immediate repair.

For B and C roads, this number was 14 and four respectively.

In 2022, where 12 A-Roads and motorways needed repairs and just two needed immediate work.

Cllr Hamid Khuram, the cabinet member for planning, housing and highways, said: “It’s certainly good news to know that the number of repairs is reducing over the years or staying the same.

The Bolton News: Pothole

“The department has been working on these roads with the available funding, so we are fixing the roads as quick as possible with that.”

But while these figures are low, the issue of potholes is still an area of concern for Bolton as it was revealed in September, that the number of pothole repairs was increasing.

Cllr Khurram said: “It all comes down to funding.

“We are doing what we can with the funding available to us, as I would like to ensure the roads are in good condition.

“But it is down to central government so we are struggling to fix all of them, but the department will assess all of the roads and prioritise what we can deal with.”

Department for Transport figures show 9.4 miles of roads in Bolton were fully resurfaced in 2021-22 – up from just 805 metres five years before.

A further 9.7 miles were surface dressed, where roads are sprayed with a tar-like substance, before stone chippings are spread over the top and rolled in. It can extend a road's lifetime by 10 years.

A council spokesperson said at the time: “Roads and pavements will normally have some unevenness, bumps, and small holes here and there, but it does not follow that the highway is then inherently dangerous and we encourage all drivers to drive with due care and attention.

“Issues can be reported to the council either on the website, Potholes, road and pavement problems – Bolton Council, or if an emergency by telephone, Friday 8am - 4pm via our Streetcare Hotline: 01204 336600, and at all other times on 01204 336900.”