Byron Road, Locking. Road suface in need of repair.

Facebook alert: the worst potholes

Report by Alex Evans, Reporter Saturday, July 21, 2012
11:00 AM

RESIDENTS of Weston have hit out at the state of the roads in and around the town, with many imploring North Somerset Council to repair potholes.

The Mercury reported two weeks ago how pensioner Robert Dockrell felt he could not send his wife’s funeral cortege past their home of almost 40 years due to the poor road surface along Grenville Avenue in Locking.

Now, residents have contacted the Mercury via its Facebook page to point out the roads with the worst potholes and to ask North Somerset Council to tackle the issue.

Roads highlighted include Drove Road, Earlham Grove, Walliscote Road and Severn Road in Weston and Bideford Road and High Street in Worle.

Pete Wade said: “Every single road has potholes, cracks or has completely collapsed. What the council needs to realise is that just patching up these holes is not the solution to the problem.

“When I think of all the people who visit Weston I feel ashamed because of the state of the place, it’s like living in a third world country.”

Michelle Cash said: “Roads in Weston are awful. There are two giant potholes on Drove Road that I have to bump over every day. They look like craters.

“I for one shall be sending the council the garage bill when my suspension goes.”

Matt Reeve said: “I cycle down The Crescent/Milton Park Road every morning. It’s great fun doing the slalom between the sunken ironwork, dodging the pits and there is a raised hump at the bottom you can almost get air off.”

Grant Fraser Andrew said: “The roads in Weston are in terrible condition. There should be someone employed to look for them and help keep the roads in better condition and if there already is, they need to open their eyes.

“Drove Road is awful, as is Bideford Road in Worle.

“There is a huge hole in the bridge next to the Borough Arms pub. The amount of times I have banged into them is no joke.”

Tim Haines complained about the quality of some of North Somerset Council’s road repairs.

He said: “The roads in Weston are horrific. You see ‘resurfacing’ happening on some roads which appears to be more like spreading butter on toast. It’s always a patch-up job rather than a complete re-do.”

To join the debates on the Mercury’s Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/pages/Weston-Worle-Somerset-Mercury

5 comments

seasider - I am not disagreeing with you, but as I said there has been under investment in our nations infastructure for 30 odd years, and to answer your point directly, road tax is used as an example of policy of indirect taxation to pay for services, so yes we could spend all that money on infastructure but then the Treasurey would have to get the money from somewhere else to pay for other services, so that would mean either higher direct taxation, or more indirect taxation. Now I am not saying their can be effencies made, however it has to be long term to get the best return, the council office moved is meant to be an example of this, so which do you want?

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blarg1987

Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sorry blarg1987 but everyone who owns a car is forced to pay "Road Tax" which is supposed to go into repairing the transport infrastructure. Why should we offer a solution to something we are already paying for? Each year it is increased but I have yet to drive on a UK road for a considerable distance without hitting a pothole or poorly repaired road surface. The council can find money to repair their offices and relocate staff, what about tackling current issues instead?

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seasider

Saturday, July 21, 2012
Surely any sane person would report potholes directly to the council?! I'm sure the council would love to properly resurface every road in Weston, but I'm also sure they do the best they can with the money they have.

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2Phat

Saturday, July 21, 2012
I partially agreee with the above, but what are the solutions? Consideirng we have had 30 odd years of under investment into our nations infastructure, and politicians and the medis all promising or saying we can have top quality services on peanut taxation, the question has to be raised are we all to balme and what are the solutions, it is right for the emdia to report these problems, but it shows a lack of impartiality when it does not offer solutions.

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blarg1987

Saturday, July 21, 2012
So why not create a Mercury campaign to get it sorted ... We need something big to get North Somerset to act .... Makes me laugh were about to be charged a fortune to park on these roads to, Maybe they can use the cash they get from that to finally fix the roads.

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Chris Mackness

Saturday, July 21, 2012