WORCESTERSHIRE residents are being asked to keep their eyes peeled for new potholes on the roads throughout the county.

The recent prolonged freezing weather causes water to seep into tiny cracks in the tarmac covering of roads, and as it freezes, the water expands causing cracks to get larger, and inevitably new potholes to form.

Worcestershire County Council has decided to keep on top of the problem with eight extra gangs of pothole fillers due to hit the streets in addition to the 11 already contracted.

They will be repairing most of the damage, but the council is also asking residents to let them know about any new potholes which may not have been noticed.

Councillor Derek Prodger MBE, the county council's cabinet member for Transport and Safe Environment, said: "After the 'big freeze' will come the big thaw and, unfortunately, like in many other parts of the country, this bout of severe weather will inevitably increase the number of potholes on our roads.

"There's nothing we can do about this, but plans are already in place to tackle the problem. We will be putting more gangs out on to the roads to identify and repair potholes as quickly as is possible to make roads safer, a similar approach to last year, when we experienced extreme conditions. Teams worked tremendously hard throughout the year to repair more than 22,000 during 2009.

"As is always the case, I'd like to encourage anyone who spots a pothole on a Worcestershire road to report it by getting in touch with us through the County Council's website or by calling the Worcestershire Hub."

Potholes can be reported by visiting www.worcestershire.gov.uk/transport or via the Worcestershire Hub on 08456 072 005.

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