Stoke-on-Trent council urges Severn Trent to fix 'defective' manhole covers
Efforts underway to address infrastructure issues affecting city roads
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has called on Severn Trent to repair 145 'defective' manhole covers across the city, holding the water company accountable for the majority of repair notices issued to utility firms.
According to the council, Severn Trent is responsible for nearly two-thirds of the repair requests, with 33 covers already repaired and plans to address 29 more.
Council representatives emphasised that not all road damage is due to potholes, highlighting the impact of utility-owned infrastructure on road quality.
“A damaged road surface isn’t always a pothole. In many cases, the problem is a defective manhole cover owned by a utility company,” a council spokesperson said.
The council continues investing heavily in road maintenance and seeks similar commitment from utility companies for their infrastructure.
The intervention by the council is reportedly yielding results, with Severn Trent's repair programme underway.
A Severn Trent spokesperson acknowledged the efforts, stating that repairs and replacements to high-priority manhole covers are complete and work on remaining sites is in progress.
The collaboration aims to minimise disruption for residents in Stoke-on-Trent, with both parties committed to expediting improvements.
Residents are thanked for their patience as the project moves forward to ensure safer and more reliable road conditions.