RESIDENTS living in a pothole-ridden road in Yatton are pinning their hopes on a mystery company to sort out their problems after being snubbed by the council.

RESIDENTS living in a pothole-ridden road in Yatton have been left pinning their hopes on a mystery company to sort out their problems.

Homeowners in Wakedean Gardens who say their cars can disappear in potholes for weeks’ have been trying unsuccessfully for years to get North Somerset Council to adopt the road as a public highway so it can be repaired.

Since 1939, anyone who has bought a house in the street must take on a joint responsibility to maintain the road.

There are about 60 houses in the street but, because it is a private road, the district council has no responsibility to maintain it.

Now the road’s residents’ association has discovered the identity of its owner after making inquiries at the Land Registry.

Wakedean Residents’ Association chairman Heidi Pople said it had been trying to contact Hawkridge Associates to get it to admit responsibility for the road and make the necessary repairs.

The group has written to an address in London as it cannot find a telephone number for the company.

Before the local elections in May, residents believed the council would loan them £300,000 to repair the damaged road and drains.

The authority’s executive member for highways, Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, said no such offer was made.

He said: “I have checked this and I do not know why they think an offer was made. It is a private road and the onus is on them to repair it.

“I have told them it will be cheaper to go to high street banks because the council would ask for interest taking into account the effect on taxpayers which could be expensive.”

Mrs Pople, who has lived in the road for 14 years, said: “We understand the council’s decision but what bank is going to lend residents that sum of money?”