UKIP shadow cabinet member David Meacock accuses council of playing 'Russian roulette' with residents safety over state of roads

David Meacock, UKIP’s culture and arts spokesman and a former Bucks County Council, has criticised the condition of the roads in the county, saying they are in the “worst condition since the 1970s”.

His comments come days after a survey by cycling charity We are Cycling UK found that there are 2,850 potholes reported in the county, of which 349 – around 12 per cent – have been fixed.

As of this week, there are 2489 open reports in Buckinghamshire on the Fill That Hole app, according to the government-backed website, placing them seventh in the list of 214 authorities.

Mr Meacock said: “Main school-run routes Grove Lane, Chalfont St Peter, Narcot Lane and Deanway in Chalfont St Giles and Nightingales Lane and Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont, not only all have floods and potholes galore, but are lined with trees, some of which look as if they have already started their descent and are just waiting for the next gust of wind to fall and kill any unfortunate motorist who happens to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time.”

Cllr Mark Shaw, transport chief at the council, said: “Safety is our first priority at all times, which is why ‘make safe’ repairs are done within two hours to dangerous defects on the roads and why roads are closed to deal with fallen trees.

“However, we can’t be everywhere at once and we can’t control the weather. We need the public to report things so we can attend, inspect, and make repairs where necessary.

“The council does not have a bottomless fund for road maintenance, but with the money we do have we are applying a balanced approach centred on risk-based prioritisation.

“That means carrying out day-to-day maintenance on the potholes, blocked gullies, and fallen trees as well as planned, long term improvements in our capital schemes programme of major improvements. We are doing everything we can with the resources available.”