For years, residents and businesses alike have voiced frustration about the deteriorating state of local roads. Since the Liberal Democrats won control of Somerset Council in 2022, they have failed to allocate sufficient resources or create an effective repair plan, leading to a staggering 246% increase in potholes across Somerset's roads. This has directly impacted drivers' daily lives, causing significant vehicle damage and posing serious safety risks. Rather than addressing the issue head-on, the council has adopted a reactive approach—patching up the worst cases while neglecting the need for long-term infrastructure investment.
This is despite substantial investment from the government into local authorities to tackle potholes. The lack of progress is a clear sign of mismanagement that which disproportionately affecting rural communities like ours. They depend on their cars for daily tasks like commuting, school runs, and medical appointments. Meanwhile, urban areas have seen more attention and resources, leaving villages and rural communities to fend for themselves.
The Liberal Democrats' promises of improved services have fallen flat. The ongoing pothole crisis is emblematic of their broader failure to grasp the needs of rural drivers. Instead of offering the decisive action Somerset desperately needs, they are allowing the roads to deteriorate further, while motorists bear the cost through higher repair bills and ongoing safety concerns.
James Wright says: "Somerset drivers have been left high and dry by the Liberal Democrats, who seem more interested in short-term fixes than providing safe, reliable roads. Potholes are not just an inconvenience—they're a daily hazard for those of us in rural areas, and this council's failure to act is letting drivers down."
