THE increasing number of potholes in roads around the Teignmouth area are causing concern to motorists and cyclists.

The holes are appearing on main roads as well as residential streets, and many have been there for months.

They can cause damage to vehicle suspensions, and present a real danger to cyclists and motorcyclists, who can easily be thrown from their machines, especially in the dark and when the depth of the holes is concealed by puddles.

Most of the holes are the responsibility of the county council, and Teignmouth county councillor Richard Younger-Ross has taken up the case.

‘The recent rain has again caused more potholes and delays in repairs. Some temporary work has proved to be “very temporary”.

‘I know this is very frustrating for the county engineers, but the Conservatives who run county hall are denying them the money.

‘Some resurfacing work was carried out last year, which will reduce the number of potholes, but there are still too many, and the work is being undertaken very slowly.

‘Some temporary repairs, such as those in Lower Brimley, were cold filled. These should have a better and more permanent repair with hot Tarmac in the next week or two.

‘But some urgent work is being neglected.

‘The gully covers in Teign Street are in a terrible condition and need to be replaced.

‘For this work to be done, however, the asset management team have to allocate the funds.

‘It really is time county councillors stopped micro managing our funds, and allocated a local fund that the engineers on the ground could use to effect urgent and much needed work.

‘The highways budget ran at a surplus last year, and it is time the administration let our engineers do their job and gave them the money to do so.’