Residents in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter have expressed outrage after notorious potholes on Frederick Street were fixed 'overnight' just hours before Aston Villa's Europa League victory parade. The 'craters' had been reported by locals for at least six months before the hasty repairs, leading many to question whether the city council's road repair priorities are 'broken'.
Residents React to Sudden Repairs
One driver, Ash Scrivens, posted a video on X showing the newly resurfaced road, stating: 'Birmingham Council rushing out to fix potholes hours before the Villa parade. The same potholes that damaged my wheel last year!' The clip quickly went viral, with many residents accusing the council of only acting when roads would be seen by thousands of fans and television cameras. 'Literally, what are our taxes for if the council only does stuff to save face?' questioned one X user.
Community Voices Anger
Birmingham advocate Reiss Omari added: 'Shocking that it has taken an event to get these roads around the JQ fixed. These weren't even potholes, they were craters.' The repairs come amid ongoing anger over Birmingham's road conditions, with drivers across the city raising concerns about potholes damaging vehicles and creating safety hazards.
Council Defends Timing
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson defended the timing, saying they 'take a proactive approach by reassessing conditions' when significant events increase road usage. However, many residents remain unconvinced, arguing that the council should prioritise road maintenance based on need rather than public events.
The incident has sparked a broader debate about the state of Birmingham's roads and the allocation of council resources, with calls for more consistent and transparent repair schedules.
