HUNDREDS of potholes were filled by highways officers as a council said it was taking the problem seriously.

West Sussex Highways tackled 2,479 potholes across the county in January, an average of more than 110 potholes each working day.

Four repair teams have been drafted in to tackle the scourge, bringing the total number to 12.

Highways chief Roger Elkins said the county council was taking the problem seriously.

“Our highways teams continue to work hard repairing them and, despite some extremely wet weather, they have made significant progress tackling the issue,” he said. “I would like to assure people we take the pothole problem very seriously.”

Frequent changes between cold temperatures and mild, wet weather has “significantly increased” the number of potholes, a county council spokesman said.

“With the expansion and contraction caused by temperature change, deterioration will occur, resulting in new potholes,” he said.

“Roads are not permanent structures and deteriorate over time from constant use, the weight of vehicles travelling on them and the effects of the weather.

“Potholes deemed to pose a hazard to road users are repaired within 28 days, or sooner if the problem is severe.”

In 2019, West Sussex Highways repaired 18,514 potholes, an average of about 350 every week.