Biker warns of pothole hazards at roundabout
POTHOLE PETE has joined forces with two-wheeled motorists to prevent "accidents waiting to happen" at a roundabout in Plymouth.
The hard-hatted campaigner for better road surfaces in the city has visited the roundabout on Glen Road and Strode Road in Plympton, where potholes could potentially cause problems for motorcyclists.
Richard Thorne, motorcyclist and member of Plymouth Motorcycle Action Group, called Pete out to create awareness about the state of the roundabout.
"About three quarters of the road surface is broken up and it is full of holes," he said.
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"If my front wheel went straight over one of the potholes I could lose control of my front wheel and be unable to steer, sending me into the path of oncoming cars.
"The road surface of the roundabout is terrible and has been for years. I have emailed the authorities about the problem several times, but they have never got back to me. I think the state of it is absolutely disgusting and it makes me wonder what my council tax is being spent on."
A spokesman for Plymouth City Council, said: "Plymouth Transport and Highways has not received any reports about this roundabout and will now arrange for an inspection to take place on Thursday 1 November. Any defects found to be a safety hazard will have a temporary repair carried out within 24 hours to make the road safe until a permanent repair can take place.
"We decide when to resurface a road based on strict criteria such as road user safety, number of potholes, degree of cracking, ride quality (bumpiness), needs of local businesses, amenities, schools and public transport. We have to prioritise resources to ensure the areas in most need are tackled first.
"We rely on the public to report any defects directly to Plymouth Transport and Highways, as the information they provide actively helps us maintain the hundreds of miles of road we are responsible for. The public is our eyes and ears so we'd urge you to report any issues, potholes or other highways problems to us by either emailing plymouth.watchman@amey.co.uk, using the reporting form on the Council's website or calling on 668000.
"We would also encourage people to visit the website www.plymouth.gov.uk and download the pothole factsheet for further detailed information."
To contact Pothole Pete email news@theplymouthherald.co.uk. You can now follow him on Twitter @Pothole_Pete
Comments
by paulmh66
Friday, November 02 2012, 4:18PM
“Should go back to the old system where road tax paid for road repairs and new roads. Charging less road tax for a car that emits less carbon than a bigger car is a waste of time. If you can afford to buy and run a gas guzzler, you can afford to tax it. So that wont stop but they still wear the roads out the same. Most of these potholes are caused by bad repairs and lorries turning corners/roundabouts dragging the road surface with their triple axles that are supposed to be better for the roads.”
by justright
Friday, November 02 2012, 1:35PM
“easy solution everyone get a 4x4 or a trials bike, sorted”
by circles1
Friday, November 02 2012, 11:24AM
“if these spy cameras are reaping such rewards then spend it on the roads”
by Foldart
Friday, November 02 2012, 10:10AM
“I saw a van with 'Highway Maintenance' on the side. Now there's an oxymoron if ever I saw one. It's odd that they'll send out a camera car to catch bad drivers but not send out a van to monitor the road conditions...
Mind you, maintenance is always considered a necessary evil in all industries. There is always a tendency to throw money at prestigious projects while existing infrastructure rots away.”
by fazer58
Friday, November 02 2012, 1:42AM
“Do Plymouth Transport and Highways actually use the same roads as the rest of us? If so they should know which ones need fixing by the severe battering their vehicles get as they drive down them.......same experience the rest of us have.
And it would be fine directing complainants to Amey if that fine company bothered to reply to e-mails.”
by jabbathebutt
Thursday, November 01 2012, 9:30PM
“"We rely on the public to report any defects directly to Plymouth Transport and Highways.... are you kidding ? Its your job to to be doing this !. Get out of your office where you ignore phone calls and emails !!!!!!!!!”
by jabbathebutt
Thursday, November 01 2012, 9:26PM
“A spokesman for Plymouth City Council, said: "Plymouth Transport and Highways has not received any reports about this roundabout and will now arrange for an inspection to take place on Thursday 1 November..... is this the way they now operate ? Wait till they get a complaint in the Herald ? Get off your backsides and do what we pay you to do and check road conditions !. Or have you forgot that it our taxes that pay you to do this in the first place ? !!!!!!!!
Durrrrrr.... you are Plymouth Transport and Highways .”
by marc1964
Thursday, November 01 2012, 7:33PM
“PCC seem to think all this is funny and with POT HOLE Pete it becomes a bigger joke. Bikes are very vunerable to these holls , look at the one on the bend in Austin crescent cars and bikes swerve in on comming trafiic to avoid the craters on the bend”
by RattamahatA
Thursday, November 01 2012, 2:04PM
“I apologise if this appears twice, but has Pete grown? Or is the photographer Mr. P. Hotoshop?”
by Foldart
Thursday, November 01 2012, 10:45AM
“It worries me that the council has abdicated its responsibility for monitoring and repairing our roads. I have contacted the council about highways issues before and been directed immediately to Amey.
This sounds like the contractor running the council, and at what cost to the taxpayer?”