ONE of Liverpool’s key roads which has been plagued by huge potholes has finally been resurfaced.

Almost £1m was spent revamping Regent Road – the main route to the city’s docks in Vauxhall.

The dock road was identified as a priority by the city council due to a number of defects such as subsidence, poor drainage, the breaking up of the road surface and potholes.

Peel Ports also identified improvements to the road as a priority.

The company launched its 20-year masterplan in June, outlining its strategy for growth, key developments, new business opportunities and job creation.

Leaders said the dock road is an important part of those plans, as it gives many potential investors and new businesses their first impression of the city.

Drainage issues on the road, caused by subsidence, have also been resolved.

The £955,000 project, which started in September, has seen the complete resurfacing of the carriageway between Dacre Street and Bankfield Street.

Liverpool council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, said: “The road was in a horrendous state, the road had become almost impassable.

“This work has breathed new life into a road which is so vital for our port industry and will bring huge benefits not only to businesses but to the thousands of motorists who travel along this route every day.”

The council used £800,000 from a £1.1m government grant for filling in potholes to help fund the work – sparking a row between the Labour administration and the Liberal Democrat opposition.

Lib-Dem leader Paula Keaveney said the way the money had been spent only left £300,000 to fill other pothole-ridden roads across the city.

“It would have been nice to think that they would have been fairer about how they allocated the money.”

Cllr Kennedy said the road had been so low down the list of priorities that it would have been 15 years before it had been repaired under Lib-Dem spending in place when Labour took control in May, 2010.

Gary Hodgson, managing director of Mersey Ports, said: “This is a fantastic example of how public sector support in infrastructure projects can help private sector growth and job creation.”