The Liberal Democrats have hit back at an announcement from Manchester City Council which claims to "invest an extra £1.8m to boost the maintenance of roadside gullies".
Championing the investment, the council said two service provides: "will tackle 58,000 gullies each across all 32 wards across the city and will ensure Manchester’s roads remain clear". But the council's failure to plan contracts in advance properly has meant that last year's work in now being delivered behind schedule and with the budget revised accordingly makes for a loss in road maintenance of £17.6m.
"Countless people at our local advice sessions tell me that their car or bike has been seriously damaged by the dreadful state of our roads and cyclists in particular struggle to make it down roads without having to dangerously swerve deep potholes or flooding gutters.
"This constant lack of effective planning is unacceptable and another example of why a Liberal Democrat opposition on this council is so vital."