CHESHIRE East has said it has recorded a 90 per cent reduction in public pothole complaints since the start of the year.

The number of potholes reported to the council was more than 3,600 during January this year and is less than 300 now.

Cheshire East highways team has repaired 56,000-plus potholes since January with the initial 50,000 target for the year reached during the summer.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “We could not hide from the fact our roads were in a bad state of repair 12 months ago so it is encouraging to know that pothole reports are down so dramatically and our highway network looks so much better.

“I made pothole repairs a major priority when I became leader and I am delighted to say we are now on course to reach the 100,000 mark, under my leadership, in the near future.

“However, that does not mean our work is done and we will continue to monitor the roads and prioritise works accordingly.

Cheshire East is investing £25m in the roads during a two year period not just for potholes but for re-surfacing works across the road network.

Clr David Topping, cabinet member in charge of the environment, added: “The majority of potholes and ‘defects’ are now self-identified through our team of highways inspectors. And even these have reduced by 43 per cent.

“Since January 2013, the Highways Investment Programme (HIP) has delivered approximately 175 km of repaired road, including resurfacing, surface dressing, micro-asphalt and permanent patching.

“Significantly, members of the public, elected members of the Council and our frontline highways inspectors have all commented on the huge improvement to the network.

“We are proud to have delivered all inspections on time and ensured that repairs to all defects identified are completed quickly.”