THE cost to repair potholes appearing on Warrington’s roads has soared since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to new analysis.

The Local Government Association, which represents more than 350 councils in England and Wales, said many of its members have been hit by a 22 per cent spike in costs for road maintenance.

This includes tasks such as fixing potholes and relaying surfaces since the conflict escalated in February 2022.

Before the invasion, around 60 per cent 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.

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

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

Some authorities report that their costs in these areas have doubled, with current economic pressures not helping the situation.

The Warrington Guardian asked Warrington Borough Council whether it had experienced price rises in pothole repairs.

We also asked if this has affected plans to repair potholes in the town, and whether the council’s pothole repair strategy is being reviewed to reflect this.

In response, a council spokesman said: “The global economic situation is affecting many areas, resulting in financial pressures on the council.

“However, we continue to work in partnership with our contractor to ensure that that all repairs are undertaken, following regular safety inspections.”