THE cost of fixing potholes in Wirral has risen since the war in Ukraine. 

The price of repairing potholes in Wirral has increased since the war in Ukraine began, piling further pressure on council budgets.

Now, calls are growing for central government to help patch over holes in council finances.

Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, around 60% of bitumen – a material used to repair roads across the UK – was sourced from Russia.

Councils now have to ration bitumen and find it from other markets, pushing up costs and delaying road repairs.

A spokesman for Wirral Council said: "Construction material prices have increased as a result of the current global macro-economic situation, and as a result, the council has agreed contract price fluctuations with suppliers, in accordance with the contracted terms.

“The council continues to manage this within available budgets to ensure we can still deliver the annual maintenance programmes and continue to maintain a safe highway network.

“The changes in prices have not affected the undertaking of any statutory repairs in Wirral.”

Wirral Council expects to undertake some 2000 carriageway repairs this financial year.

A survey for the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 350 councils in England and Wales, found many of its members have been hit by a 22% spike in the cost of road maintenance.

Local authorities were already facing a significant road repair backlog, with latest estimates stating it would take them 10 years and £12 billion to bring all surfaces up to scratch.

Spiralling energy costs and inflation also mean there has been a 38% increase in the bill for running and repairing street lights over the last six months.

The organisation’s transport spokesman David Renard said: “As this stark new analysis shows, councils across the country are facing unprecedented increased costs to repair our local roads, keep our street lights switched on and invest in improved local infrastructure.

“Global pressures, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as increasing inflation and a shortage of materials, have all provided the perfect storm for councils and piled pressure on already stretched local budgets.

“To tackle this issue, the new Government must cover these increased costs for councils or risk road conditions getting worse or reductions in other services.

“Only with adequate long-term funding – to cover increased cost pressures and invest in local services – and the right powers, can councils deliver for our communities, tackle the climate emergency, and level up all parts of the country.”