Vale of Glamorgan Council, which manages over 1,040km of highways, said it is scaling up repairs using specialist equipment despite increasing demand and a rise in reported defects, but residents have launched a petition calling for a complete overhaul of its current strategy.
Nathan Thomas, neighbourhood manager for highway maintenance at Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “We are investing more than ever in repairs to keep our roads safe, and we are working with our contractor Centregreat Ltd and using specialist equipment such as the JCB Pothole Pro machine, to fix defects quickly and efficiently.”
The council said it is handling record numbers of reports from the public, with 2,025 potholes repaired in February alone.
However, not all defects are repaired immediately.
Mr Thomas said: “Repairs are prioritised by depth, however no report is ever ignored.”
The council said that while deeper, more dangerous potholes are fixed first, all reports are logged and inspected.
Highways inspectors regularly assess road conditions, but residents’ reports remain essential.
Mr Thomas said: “With such a large network, public reports are vital in helping us to target specific issues across our communities.”
The response follows the launch of a petition calling for a major rethink of the council’s repair approach.
Campaigner Julian Morgan, who started the petition, claims the current system is not delivering durable results and leaves roads vulnerable during periods of poor weather.
He is calling for the council to move to an in-house model using cold lay materials that can be applied year-round, rather than relying on contractors.
The petition also supports greater use of JCB Pothole Pro machines, which can prepare repairs more quickly.
Mr Morgan questions the effectiveness of current repairs and raises concerns about safety for cyclists and motorcyclists.
Despite these criticisms, the council said its current approach is producing results, highlighting the volume of repairs and ongoing investment in equipment and resources.
The petition has so far gathered around 100 signatures.
