A THIRD of Newport's roads are now in need of total reconstruction which is set to cost the authority £25 million, the city council was told.

And the authority is facing a potential compensation bill of over £4 million from people who have had accidents caused by the city's crumbling roads and pavements.

Councillor Graham Dally, cabinet member for transport and sustainable development, told a meeting of the authority that the city needs a £25 million cash injection to deal with the backlog of repairs.

Councillor Dally said: "There has been total under-investment across the country in highway maintenance. It is a national problem caused by our government and the government before it."

The Malpas ward member stressed the council was doing its best to address 'hot spots' such as the Stow Hill area in the city centre which had a £1.25 million refurbishment 18 months ago.

"I would not discourage anyone from making a claim if the council has been negligent," said Councillor Dally.

"But there is no doubt we are living in a compensation culture and there are still these 'ambulance chasers' around the city centre."

The condition of Newport's roads is being exacerbated by the increasing number of 'rat runs' being used by motorists using smaller residential roads in a bid to avoid the congestion resulting from the new SDR road, Councillor Dally said.

He added: "There is a lot of rat running going on because of the traffic congestion caused by the SDR road and a lot of the smaller roads are getting damaged."

The funding shortfall has meant cost effective preventative measures such as resurfacing has not been carried out, leaving 30 per cent of Newport's roads facing complete reconstruction.

Among the roads needing extensive work are Monnow Way in Bettws, Caerleon Road, Newport Bridge and sections of bypass that leads up to Risca alongside the Afon Village.

Councillor Dally added: "The situation is such that you can go into any ward in Newport and pinpoint roads that need work.

"In England they have recognised the problem and have started to pour more money into it and I think it is time for the Assembly to do the same. "Whatever money I have is being spent. Most of the work goes out to private companies and 99 per cent of the time it is the cheapest bid that is successful. If we had the money we needed and spent £3m a year it would still take eight years to clear the backlog."