If you’ve ever driven through Bolton after a rainy day and hit one of these unwelcome surprises, you’ll know the feeling: the thud, the jolt, and the sudden urge to check your tyres and suspension.
They’re the kind of everyday issues that can drive people round the bend – quite literally.
I know some people like to joke that councillors are obsessed with potholes, but when you speak to residents as often as I do, you realise just how much these seemingly small problems can add up.
Whether you’re a motorist worried about car damage, a cyclist navigating uneven roads, or a business relying on safe, reliable infrastructure – potholes matter.
That’s why Bolton Council, under Labour leadership, has made fixing our roads a real priority.
In the past two years, we’ve invested record sums in tackling the backlog of repairs.
And this year, we’ve added another £1 million to the highways budget, taking the total spend on resurfacing and maintenance to over £7.5 million — the biggest in recent history, without borrowing a penny.
We’ve focused on the areas that need it most, responding to resident reports, and working with local contractors to make repairs that last — not just quick fixes.
And with the Labour government now releasing an extra £500 million nationally for pothole repairs, we’re ready to do even more.
Every council will need to report clearly on progress, and rightly so. Taxpayers deserve transparency and action.
Of course, I can’t promise we’ll be able to magic away every pothole overnight — the problem didn’t appear in a year, and it won’t disappear in one either.
The problem grew following 14 years of Conservative cuts to our council budget. But I can promise we’re taking it seriously.
Because fixing potholes isn’t just about smoothing out roads — it’s about showing that the basics matter. That we’re listening, that we’re delivering.
And while I’d love to tell you that my job is all big strategic issues, a surprising number of residents just want to know one thing: “When are you going to sort out my street?”
Well, we’re on it. And thanks to the partnership between the council and a government finally serious about investment in the basics, we’ve got the tools — and the tarmac — to make it happen.
As always, thank you for your continued support — and keep reporting those potholes!
