The number of reported potholes across Bucks increased by almost 3,000 in just one month it has been revealed, in the same week transport chiefs were forced to defend the quality of road repairs across the county.

Potholes have been a hot-topic of discussion for frustrated residents and politicians after harsh winter weather conditions destroyed the county’s already dilapidated roads.

Figures unearthed by the Free Press found Bucks County Council (BCC) was alerted to a staggering 3,552 potholes across the county in January this year, compared with 743 in December 2017.

A total of 17,165 potholes were reported in 2017/18 alone, and BCC confirmed around 80 per cent of these have been repaired.

On Tuesday BCC councillor for Grendon Underwood, Angela Macpherson, criticised the poor quality of pothole repairs at a meeting of the environment, transport and communities select committee.

Cllr Macpherson’s comments are just the latest in a long line of criticisms over the state of the county’s roads, and in April pothole campaigner Mark Morrell threatened to take the council to court over the growing crisis.

Mr Morrell – AKA Mr Pothole – urged residents to nominate the worst-affected road in the council in a bid to force the council to act.

The area that received the most nominations is Bryants Bottom Road in Great Missenden. 

The A4128 Wycombe Road in Great Missenden, Heath End Road in Great Kingshill and New Road in Penn Street Village also proved to be a big bugbear among motorists – however all have since been resurfaced.

Next week the Free Press will focus on the worst road in Bucks, and call for the council to take action. 

Spokesman for Transport for Bucks, Florence Matthews, said the majority of “dangerous” potholes identified at the beginning of the year have been repaired.

She said: “We are aware that a significant number of dangerous potholes were identified in the first few months of the year, reports coming from both our own inspectors and the public, and the majority of these have now been successfully repaired. 

“However, whilst the rate at which defects are being identified has slowed we are still experiencing larger numbers than we have witnessed in previous years.”