FOI reveals figures over potholes repair costs

THE amount a North Wales council spent annually filling in the drivers’ worst enemy – potholes – over the past three years has been revealed.

A recent freedom of information request showed that Gwynedd Council spent more repairing potholes in the Arfon area between 2021 and 2022 than in the areas of Meirionnydd and Dwyfor.

In Arfon, the cost was £288,174, while in Meirionnydd it was £223,635 and in Dwyfor it was £122,971.65.
According to the ‘What Do They Know’ website, the figures showed that, in  Arfon between 2019 and 2020, the cost of repairing potholes was £260,201, while in 2020 – 2021, it was £164,074, and in 2021 – 2022 it was £288,174.
In the Dwyfor area between 2019 and 2020, it was  £156,047.00, while in 2020 – 2021 it was £107,569.75, and in 2021 – 2022, it was £122,971.65.
In Meirionnydd between  2019 and 2020, it was  £291,829, while in 2020 – 2021, it was £242,755, and in 2021 – 2022, it was £223,635.
The period of 2020-2021 showed markedly lower numbers due to the “effect of the pandemic”.

A ‘Ms Harrison’ had asked Gwynedd County Council for the  figures under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Among her requests, including the figures for the last three calendar years, with a year-by-year breakdown, other questions included: “What was the average time between a pothole being reported and filled?”
The website reports a council reply as reading: “The average time between a pothole being reported and filled in accordance with its Highway Asset Maintenance was that defects will be corrected or made safe within 24hrs.”
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides public access to information held by public authorities.
The FOI gives anyone the right to ask any public sector organisation for information they hold, including information about yourself under data protection legislation.
Gwynedd Council was contacted for a comment.

For information on how to make a freedom of information see the website: visit: https://www.gov.uk/make-a-freedom-of-information-request

By Dale Spridgeon – BBC Local Democracy Reporter