Resident angry over road repairs
POTHOLE Pete has been back out on Plymouth's streets after hearing about a decaying road in Hooe.
Local resident Arthur Wise called in The Herald's in-house roads campaigner after a wide "trough" developed near his home.
The pensioner said poor repair work had led a gaping hole to open up even larger than before at the junction of Jennycliff Lane and Lalebrick Road.
Other parts of Jennycliff Lane are also damaged following two severe winters in 2009 and 2010.
Mr Wise said: "I'm disgusted with the way they're carrying out the repairs.
"There have been at the most three shovels full of asphalt just dropped in three small areas here.
"As for outside Hooe Primary School, they must have dropped it in place with no more than a child's size beach shovel.
"The painted white cross sign pointing out what has got to be done looks like it cost more than the tar."
Plymouth City Council has just spent £1.82million on its road repairs programme, Operation Upgrade, which targeted the areas of the city that have suffered the worst damage during the last two years.
But retired quarry worker Mr Wise, aged 81, added: "When I was an apprentice back in the 40s things were scarce, but we were always told that a job worth doing was worth doing well.
"To me, this is a complete waste of money.
"All they're doing is tipping on a bit of cheap tar.
"I strongly feel that half of this money being wasted could have been spent on keeping Plymouth City Airport open."
A council spokeswoman said: "We have a team of highway inspectors who regularly patrol the network to identify defects and problems.
"Holes that are at least 40mm deep and 300mm wide are treated as potholes and repaired, in line with national guidance.
"An inspector visited the site yesterday and found no defects in the road surface meeting these levels, so no immediate repairs are required."
To report a pothole to the council call 01752 668000 or visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/highwaysform.
To alert Pothole Pete email news@theplymouthherald.co.uk.
15 Comments
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by mcspredder
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 9:00PM
“How about the dropped manhole covers on Gdynia Way? Even newly built roads are **** in Plymouth.”
by sssss2010
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 6:45PM
“@FunkyD1just for the record as an ex racing cyclist I am not anti cyclist. Just checked out the CTC site and it looks great. Though I can not undersatnd that the PCC has money to repaint the roads and call the new markings cycle lanes (of which some start and stop at random - Outland Road from Morrisons to Peverell corner is a classic case in point) and have no money for repair of the highway!”
by FunkyD1
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 6:35PM
“Just use this website, http://tinyurl.com/55cs3w
I know most of you are anticyclist, but this is very good tool from the Cycle Touring Club.”
by sssss2010
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 4:37PM
“I reported the pot holes in my road in March 2010!!! as todate they are still there and getting bigger. Perhaps I will send PCC a birthday card with a "2 today badge" on it just to highlight my point.”
by LMBossy21
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 3:59PM
“you should look at Seymour Rd by Hele School-did email the Cllr who has portfolio for this when I questioned the system of repair-IE someone comes along and just stamps some tarmac in-which as we all know doesnt last-Cllr who has that portfolio assured me that AMEY always return and do a 'proper' repair! Well they might tell and charge PCC (or rather us council tax payers)for that but have yet to see any evidence, and that goes for lots of potholes around Plymouth. Wonder how much checking goes on by the Highways Dept at PCC as to standard of repairs?”
by Mad_sceintist
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 3:28PM
“Just take a trip down Crownhill road past transit way bloody horrible to ride on that bit of road”
by Boris20111
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 2:36PM
“That is one hell of a gash leather jacket he's wearing - he should be made to sign some weekly register or something just for owning it - let alone wearing it!”
by oldhippy73
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 2:19PM
“Erm sorry to say i cycled that way last night in the dark and could see or feel no evidence of pot holes as big as this gent is winging about. all people have to do is drive within the speed limits and not tear around corners and the roads will last a little bit longer.
we are all feeling the pinch and there is not an endless pot of money so be patient and good things will come to those who wait.
And by the way i aslo drive a car before everyone jumps on the band wagon about cyclists.”
by Kwacker10R
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 1:48PM
“The roads leading off Mutley Plain as your heading towards town, are so bad they look like the RAF has done a bombing run on them. I ride a motorbike and avoid these roads like the plague when I visit Damerells bike shop”
by Mike5charsmin
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 12:45PM
“Try Belgrave Road and Connaught Avenue in Mutley.
Both need completely resurfacing.
I look forward to hell freezing over...”