POTHOLES deemed to be ‘in the wrong place’ could be left longer for repairs under a new trial policy being put forward by Devon County Council.

The response time for permanent repairs on lower category pavements will also be extended and the ‘classification’ for road markings is to be ‘relaxed’ according to a report being considered by the Conservative-run council’s cabinet.

Potholes, the bane of motorists across the county, will now be assessed based on where they are in the road and whether they pose a threat to road users.

Liberal Democrats leader Cllr Alan Connett said: ‘Here they go again with another assault on Devon’s roads and motorists.

‘Now they’re looking at whether its the right type of pothole to be eligable to repair, they want to take longer to repair pathways and slacken the classification for repairing road markings.

In response to Cllr Connett’s comments, highway management cabinet member Cllr Stuart Hughes said: ‘To the contrary, this is not a proposal to cut corners or make our highways less safe.

‘It is about effective risk management and doing things as efficiently and as safely as possible.

‘The draft policy is being reviewed and will draw on the latest government guidance and best practice.

‘It will go before members of our independent scrutiny committee and will be consulted on more widely before returning for a cabinet decision next March before it’s implemented.’

The new cuts and ‘wrong types of pothole’ plan is to be discussed with the county’s town and parish councils at a Highways Services Conference.