NORTH East politicians have called for additional funding to address a “pothole epidemic” impacting major roads throughout the region in the wake of recent wet weather.

OVENS Valley MP Tim McCurdy recently pointed to a road maintenance budget which has been “slashed” by 45 per cent since 2020, while Benambra MP Bill Tilley called on VicRoads to lower its threshold for compensation to motorists whose vehicles were damaged on major roads.

Regional Roads Victoria crews undertook repair works on potholes in Rowan Street last week, as part of a "repair blitz" expected to take place across the region in the coming weeks.

Department of Transport and Planning Hume regional director Steve Bowmaker said crews had repaired a large number of potholes across Northern Victoria in recent months, while undertaking significant road patching and resurfacing works in the region.

“Safety is always our first priority, which is why our crews regularly monitor and inspect roads across our entire network,” he said.

“Several potholes along Rowan Street, Wangaratta have been repaired by our crews in recent days, with plans for more repairs also underway.”

Mr McCurdy said it appeared potholes were appearing across the North East “faster than ever before”, and urged locals to contact the State Government to shine a light on the quality of roads in the region in an effort to increase maintenance funding.

Some $2.8b was pledged to road maintenance and renewal across Victoria as part of the 2023/24 state budget to be implemented over the next decade, a figure Mr McCurdy said was falling behind the current demand.

“I encourage locals to stay vigilant on the roads, make sure to drive to the conditions of the road, as not doing so can cost more than just money,” Mr McCurdy said.

“We have seen the road death toll skyrocket this year, which we need to remember is not just a statistic, but people and their families being impacted.”

VicRoads’ current threshold for property damage caused by its roads sits at $1580, a figure which Mr Tilley believes needs to be reduced, even temporarily, to address the damages incurred by North East motorists.

“Highways and major arterials under the guardianship of the state are failing- potholes are literally everywhere,” he said.

“The damage to vehicles has been extensive, I think these circumstances demand the threshold be reviewed, perhaps even dropped for the time being.

“People are calling, emailing, sending photos – one spent $2800 on repairs, a pensioner had a $561 bill and of course didn’t get to the threshold for compensation, another person had to hire a car after theirs was left undriveable.

“We all live here, we all know it’s been wet but that’s no excuse, it’s been wet before.

“Motorists are suffering blowouts travelling at 100kph, they’re crossing lines to avoid potholes on the crest of a hill – I genuinely fear a serious accident unless we get action.”