A GROUP of community leaders have vented their "frustration" at the state of potholes in Romsey, it has been revealed.

Now the group are urging Hampshire County Council (HCC) to fix the growing number of potholes, after finding they have deteriorated "in the last 12 months" due to budget "cuts".

It is believed the worst potholes are located in Winchester Hill, Winchester Road, Stanbridge Lane and Latimer Street.

Braishfield Parish cllr, Sally Yalden, said: "In the last 12 months the potholes have got certainly worse and I think as councillors it is our duty to provide that basic infrastructure.

"I have talked regularly with the other Liberal Democrat councillors and we are looking at what improvements need to be made and what is not happening locally.

"I know someone from the local council said the money is not there, because of the cuts from Hampshire County Council, and I think it is frustrating for the public and councillors.

"I think contractors are not repairing them properly and, because the money is not there to do things properly, nothing is happening to these places which could be fixed."

The 49-year-old added: "It does not help that we are paying our taxes and you expect better when you are living in what is deemed as a good area.

"On HCC's website where you can report potholes, you will be surprised to see how many have not been reported and if they are not reported then they will get worse."

Cllr Mark Cooper, who represents Romsey Tadburn on Test Valley Borough Council, said: “The reason for the lack of repairs is that in the last four years the Conservative government has removed £480 million of HCC's funding.

"In the coming financial year, another £80 million is being stripped out, £43 million of it from adult social services.

"This is a consequence of the government's austerity programme which continues, notwithstanding the 'promises' made by certain politicians who said that austerity was over."

Cllr Alan Dowden, who represents Valley Park on the borough council, added: “In the last 12 months, the council has had to pay out over £157,000 in compensation (excluding trees and subsidence claims), and that’s excluding the cost of legal costs incurred.

"I expect many more people will have forked out for repairs out of their own pockets.

"It’s a vicious cycle which needs to be broken."

Cllr Nik Daas, who represents Romsey Abbey on the borough council, added: “I’m reporting potholes and pavement defects on behalf of the community on a regular basis.

"Some of these repairs have been marked up for months now, but nothing has happened; it's frustrating."

In response, Cllr Rob Humby, transport and environment chief at HCC, said: “Our highways teams work all year round to repair and protect the county’s 5,500 miles of road but it is no surprise that exceptional rainfall this winter, particularly in recent weeks, is taking its toll. 

“Recognising the extra damage that has been caused, when setting the county council’s budget for the next financial year, we took the decision to invest an additional £5 million in road maintenance.”