A political row has erupted in Dudley over the state of the borough's roads, with councillors trading accusations over potholes and empty grit bins. The dispute follows a recent government assessment and a cold snap that has highlighted service issues.
Labour's Accusations of Dangerous Conditions
Labour opposition councillors are maintaining pressure on the Conservative-run administration. Councillor Adeela Qayyum, who represents the St Thomas's ward, conducted a tour of over 50 grit bin locations. She reported finding a majority of bins empty or inaccessible, alongside what she described as deep and dangerous potholes.
Cllr Qayyum stated that the council's claims of being on top of the situation "simply doesn't stack up" with the reality on the ground. She linked her findings to the council's recent amber performance rating for road maintenance, awarded on January 11, which indicates inconsistent standards.
"Residents are left dealing with empty grit bins and dangerous roads," she said. "The administration needs to get a grip of this." Labour is now demanding an extraordinary council meeting to debate a motion calling for replaced grit bins and an immediate halt to further removals.
Conservative Defence and Road Strategy
Conservative councillor Simon Phipps, the cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, hit back at the criticism. He accused Labour councillors of "grandstanding" and hypocrisy, claiming they complain both when preventative maintenance is done and when it is not.
He defended the council's strategic shift away from short-term fixes like surface dressing, which he called "messy," towards a programme of full road resurfacing. A key point of this new approach is a five-year guarantee on contractor work, protecting taxpayers from additional costs for substandard repairs.
Phipps also pointed the finger at the previous Labour administration, stating they left a "severely degraded road network" that the current council is still working to repair.
Cold Snap Prompts Service Review
With forecasters predicting another cold snap for the final week of January, the practicalities of winter road maintenance have come sharply into focus. In response to the public and political outcry, Cllr Phipps has ordered a review of gritting services.
This review includes instructions for empty grit bins to be refilled 'as necessary'. This move appears to be a direct reaction to the concerns raised, aiming to ensure residents are better prepared for icy conditions.
The political battle over Dudley's highways looks set to continue, with infrastructure and its maintenance firmly on the agenda for both parties as they seek to demonstrate their commitment to local services ahead of any future elections.
