A POTHOLE hotline has been flooded with nearly 100 calls from disgruntled road users since it was set up by Haringey Council just one month ago. There were a total of 94 complaints on the potline which was launched in May to give motorists, cyclists an

A POTHOLE hotline has been flooded with nearly 100 calls from disgruntled road users since it was set up by Haringey Council just one month ago.

There were a total of 94 complaints on the "potline" which was launched in May to give motorists, cyclists and pedestrians a direct line to report bumpy surfaces.

And the council has revealed 347 potholes have been repaired across the borough between May 12 and June 13.

The highways department has invested an extra £200,000 this year - almost double its previous budget - on repairing potholes after residents cited them as their biggest highways priority in a record consultation last summer.

The repairs began in Highgate, where 128 potholes were repaired within the first four weeks of works.

Environment and conservation chief, Cllr Brian Haley, said: "This is a very promising start to the pothole blitz.

"The first month's figures show that we are making substantial headway in improving the quality of our roads.

"I'm very grateful to all the residents who've contacted us so far, and I hope more will now be encouraged to make use of the new hotline. I'd also like to thank the ward councillors for all the support they've shown.

"We now need to keep up this initial momentum over the coming months, and improve road conditions for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians in every neighbourhood across the borough."

In addition, the council has set a new seven-day target for repairing all potholes. Previously the council's target for repairing the least serious potholes was 28 days.

Haringey will continue to repair those potholes judged to be most serious within 24 hours.

Simon Aldridge, director of the London Motorists action group, lives in Christchurch Road, Crouch End. Mr Aldridge, 41, said: "It's good to see parking revenue is being spent on something useful. Hopefully the Council will repair or replace road surfaces properly and not just fill in the holes as a short term solution."

Crouch End Lib Dem Cllr Dave Winskill who cycles around the borough, said: "Haringey is claiming improvement in the state of our roads.

"So I've invited the council officer in charge of urban environment to join me for a bicycle ride around Crouch End to look at the dismal state of our roads and the minimal impact of this so-called blitz."

To report a hole in the road telephone 0208-489 3993 or visit: www.haringey.gov.uk/is_potholes