"Ratepayers deserve better service than this" said a councillor who claims the pothole reporting system used by Shropshire Council is "inefficient and ineffective".

Clun councillor Nigel Hartin said residents "shouldn't have to wait for someone's car to be damaged for a repair to be done".

His comments follow a recent incident involving his son who had hit a large pothole on the B4368 near Craven Arms which blew his tyre.

"It was 7am and still dark and the water-filled pothole couldn't be seen. I went with my son to take some photos of the hole and reported it to Shropshire Highways. After a further exchange of emails, it was logged as an 'emergency repair' and was done by the Council's contractors Keir.

"However, I checked on the repair and again complained to senior officers as it was just a useless dump of tarmac into half the pothole! Finally after much chasing from me on it was repaired 11th February."

Cllr Hartin said his son, who works at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital has since claimed £152 in recovery and repair costs from the council.

"I urge anyone who has suffered damage to do likewise. Ratepayers deserve better service than this. We shouldn't have to wait for someone's car to be damaged for a repair to be done."

A number of concerns have been raised recently about the number of potholes on – and the condition of – many of the county’s roads.

Last week. Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I share people’s frustration about the condition of some of our roads. I’m a driver and a cyclist so I know from personal experience that many of our roads are in a poor condition as a result of the cold, wet winter weather but I’m determined to sort things as soon as we can.

“Our highways officers are busy working with our contractor Kier to treat the exceptionally high number of potholes that have appeared recently. This time of year is always challenging, but we have also experienced more flooding and have had the coldest January in 10 years.

“It’s a really challenging job but we’re aware of the problems, we’re out there, and we ask people to bear with us. But people can still help us by reporting any potholes that they come across so that we make sure that they’re treated."