IPSWICH/SUFFOLK: The number of potholes being repaired on the county’s roads has nearly trebled in five years, The Evening Star can reveal today.

The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, highlight the importance of our Spot the Pot campaign.

Council chiefs claim the rise has been caused by freezing weather over the last couple of winters and government grants enabling local authorities to carry out more repairs.

During the financial year 2005/06, a total of 594 pothole repairs were carried out in the county – but by the end of 2010 that figure had leapt to 1,402.

However, even before the freezing winter of 2009, the number of repairs carried out was steadily rising.

During 2006/07, 796 repairs were carried out; in 2007/08, 882 holes were filled in, and in 2008/09, 916 repairs were made.

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said: “During the winter of 2009 there was significant snowfall before Christmas which led to a big rise in the num-ber of potholes reported.

“The government awarded us a grant of �1.95million in early 2010 which enabled a higher amount of repairs to be carried out than in previous years.”

County councillor Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for roads, said: “Where significant potholes are identified by our highways officers or they are reported to us, we will repair them as quickly as possible.”

Since we launched our Spot the Pot campaign in January we’ve been deluged with reports of mini craters.We’ve compiled a dossier to hand to council chiefs at the end of this month.

n If you spot a pothole on your travels around town, give us a call or send us an e-mail to tell us where the hole is located – if possible with a postcode. Or send us your own pictures. Call our newsdesk on 01473 324788 or send an e-mail to starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.

n Potholes can be reported to Suffolk County Council on 0845 6066171.