A RESIDENT fed up with reporting potholes that only get fixed if they are certain size has questioned how cost effective the council’s highways repair policy is.

Raymond Ainsley said Darlington Borough Council workmen will repair some potholes and leave others deemed not to be dangerous, only to have to return a short time later to fix them when their condition deteriorates.

Mr Ainsley, who lives in the Eastbourne area of Darlington, said Estoril Road – which he describes as a rat run – is in a state of near collapse, but that the council workmen continue to do patch repairs instead of tackling the whole road.

He asked how cost effective the policy of doing small repairs instead of simply repairing the road surface properly in the first place can be for the authority.

Darlington Borough Council said Estoril Road had been designated as requiring repairs, but that any work would be subject to funding.

A spokeswoman added that repairs to the carriageways across the borough were prioritised and on-going repairs were more cost effective.

Mr Ainsley said: “I’ve damaged the springs on my car on a pothole in Estoril Road, it’s almost like a trench across the road that has been filled in again and again.

“With the amount of traffic going up and down there are always potholes but the council just repairs the very worst ones and leaves all the others.”

Mr Ainsley used a camera to count 215 vehicles using Estoril Road in a 38 minute period in recent weeks and said the council underestimates how well-used the road is.

He added: “They think it’s just a side road but there are lorries and vans using it as a cut through to Yarm Road.

“They repair the biggest potholes but you can stand and see which ones are going to get worse in the next couple of days.

“This council are the pits for doing repairs.”

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: “Estoril Road and Estoril Road South have been identified as needing some reconstruction work.

“Subject to the availability of funding, this will be carried out in phases in the coming years.

“Next year should see the start and, in the meantime, we will continue to inspect the road and carryout minor repairs.”

She added: “We continually monitor the state of the roads in the borough and prioritise work needed.

“Patching roads and undertaking minor repairs are cost effective to keep the roads safe and serviceable. Funding allows only essential repairs are carried out to areas when they are needed.”