A NEW app is being developed by Shropshire Council to report potholes.

Councillor Steve Davenport revealed the move to a cabinet meeting as he promised "changes" to the authority’s highways services.

The application, which will run on mobile phones and tablets, will be called ‘We Love Shropshire’.

Cllr Davenport said: “It will allow the public to give the council information about highways or issues going forward such as potholes and any other problems.

“Changes are coming.”

He added: “Nationwide we are still dealing with an unprecedented winter last year and the heat of the summer hasn’t helped.

“As quickly as you repair a pothole, others appear. It’s a continual issue and we have 33 teams out there repairing them.

“It really is a full-time job, working many hours through the county to do this.”

The meeting was told restructuring to the highways department will make it easier for councillors to report issues.

It comes as cabinet members approved an update of the unitary authority’s highways maintenance in line with national policy and ahead of the winter months.

Highways has a budget of £2.13 million to spend this winter, which is expected to be sufficient for a “normal” winter.

Cllr Davenport, portfolio holder for highways and transport, said he did not want to see another winter like 2017/18.

He added: “I am hoping this year is not going to be as bad as last year, but we can only wish for that.”

But concerns were raised that only 28 per cent of the 5,100km road network Shropshire Council is responsible for would be gritted as part of the winter plan.

Cllr David Turner, for Much Wenlock, said many roads in his patch had been cut off last year, but added: “I pay tribute to the hours the highways team worked.

“Morning, noon and night, I was astonished by the time of day when I was getting responses to concerns at roads being cut off.”

As part of the winter plan, a briefing will take place next month for members to understand the issues and service pressures.

There will also be a working group to help develop a pilot snow volunteer scheme, along with the unusual working arrangements with parish and town councils.