A ONE-OFF £150,000 cash boost to tackle potholes in Poole has been announced by the council – part of more than £700,000 being spent to repair roads. Borough of Poole has allocated the funds from its budget on top of £466,339 awarded to help remedy damage cause by the severe winter weather.

The Department for Transport awarded Poole £211,339 from the £168million of funding opened to local authorities to support permanent pothole repairs and works to prevent potholes from forming in the first place. The council also successfully bid for £255,000, which was partially invested in the resurfacing of Herbert Avenue.

Repairs are already going on in Sea View Road and Alder Road to address the worn, potholed surfaces, and St Helier, Alton Road, Dale Valley Road and Wimborne Road are also set to benefit. The council’s street scene team will start two weeks of works repairing potholes, patching and resurfacing on July 21.

Councillor Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder for a prosperous and sustainable Poole, said it was a “very welcomed boost,” adding: “Poole’s roads are ageing and have suffered a lot of damage during the recent storms, so it is great that we can bring forward some repair work earlier than scheduled.”

Councillor Mike Brooke, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “With the council facing increasing insurance claims it was important to address this issue as quickly as possible so I was delighted when we were able to find an extra £150,000 in the budget. Added to additional government grants this will enable the council to carry out a far greater number of repairs than originally scheduled.”

Residents can report a pothole through ‘Report It’ on the council’s website boroughofpoole.com or telephone 01202 261700.