WORCESTERSHIRE County Council's Highways Partnership Units are understaffed by 10 to 15 officers according to a review of its six units, which includes Redditch.

County council Cabinet members will be asked to agree recommendations based on the review when they meet on Friday. One of the measures would see an increase in staffing levels by 10 officers.

And as a result, head of transportation and highways Jeff Romanis said future plans involved carrying out more inspections, recording a greater range of defects across the county and taking action on less severe defects than previously.

The review showed work on large-scale projects had been effective but smaller, day-to-day works were not adequately dealt with due to a lack of manpower.

It revealed the units were 'based on a sound concept' but the role of the Highways Partnership Forums, which act as an advisory body for the units, needed alterations.

Mr Romanis said the review reinforced the opinion that the fundamental maintenance of the highway structure had been effectively dealt with.