Scott over the moon as craters will be filled
POTHOLE Pete has gone to the rescue of a resident in Stonehouse who can't ride his mobility scooter to the shops because the road "is like the surface of the moon".
Scott Moy, a 72-year-old man who lives on his own, called The Herald's in-house road campaigner to King Street where the number of "craters and potholes" are stopping him from taking the most direct route to the local amenities.
He said: "I feel the problem is so bad that you can't tell what is road and what is a pothole anymore. In fact, King Street looks like the moon.
"When I was first issued my cross country mobility scooter in the summer I took it out for the first time and lost a wheel because I went down a pothole.
"There are large bits of tarmac coming off where the repairs don't seem to have been carried out properly in the past.
"I have to go the long way round to the shops and the pharmacy to get my medication because it's too dangerous to go along that road on my scooter.
"But when I do venture down it I have to really have my eyes peeled for holes to ensure I don't lose another wheel.
"I'm expecting to go out one day and find a massive hole with a couple of cars stuck down it – the street should be renamed Holey Road".
Mr Moy said the problem was made worse by the large number of heavy goods vehicles that use the road.
A Plymouth transport and highways spokeswoman said: "As with many of the holes Pothole Pete finds himself pictured with, we were not aware of this problem until we received the call from The Herald on Friday.
"As soon as we were aware, someone was sent to assess the severity of the problem and report back.
"As a result, work to fill the two potholes that inspectors found in the area will now take place on Monday February 13.
"We really would like to stress to the public the importance of their reports to us.
"We rely heavily on the information they provide to help 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, pot holes or other problems with the roads to us by either e-mailing plymouth.watchman@amey.co.uk, using the reporting form on the Council's website or calling on 668000."
To alert Pothole Pete email news@theplymouthherald.co.uk.
Comment – Page 11
10 Comments
by thebannedone
Sunday, February 12 2012, 11:54PM
“There is a large pothole developing at Stonehouse bridge - it is currently down to the subsurface having gone through the tarmac and concrete. It has been there for some time as it has been scoured out. I take it a council worker will try to visit it in his van, tut and arrange for it to be filled in - the bill for my tyre and rim will be sent in due course. If the worker cannot find it - I suggest Specsavers have a two for one offer at the moment.”
by chdav
Saturday, February 11 2012, 6:37PM
“Ive nearly been run over by this guy more times then I can count. If potholes slow him down im all for it.”
by JohnHibbert
Saturday, February 11 2012, 11:37AM
“No drrichardson, you are right. Disabled people should be imprisoned in their own homes. How dare they leave their homes and feel as though they have the same rights as healthy-bodied people and consider that they have the right to use the nation's pavements and roads. I think the government should remove theses disabled people's access to independence immediately.
And you are right, every single person in an EPV or electric wheelchair pushes their way through shoppers. Not a single disabled person has the respect to give pedestrians the right of way.
Also nout4nout- Using a mobility scooter on a dual carriageway is both illegal and irresponsible. I once saw a car driver speed through the city centre at 70mph+, therefore all car drivers are dangerous and irresponsible people.”
by joehh
Saturday, February 11 2012, 10:34AM
“Wheres that flamin council camera car when you need it.”
by nout4nout
Saturday, February 11 2012, 10:20AM
“I had the preasur of being stuck in thraffic behind one of these on the A38 on the way down to the Tamar bridge!!!! A police van was behind it with lights flashing. How the hell the guy hadnt been killed was beyond me.
Got to say though that I drive all over the country and Plymouth are better than most at filling in the potholes.
Union street needs resurfacing regularly because puke,alchohol and kebeb juice break down the road surface quicker than frost”
by drichardson
Saturday, February 11 2012, 9:17AM
“So, You're telling me it's a case of I'm disabled & I can ride my scooter anywhere I choose & stuff giving consideration to others on the road, oh & by the way pushing my way through shoppers in shops on "my cross country scooter" is also OK”
by JohnHibbert
Saturday, February 11 2012, 8:25AM
“Road legal mobility scooters such as the one in the article DO have road tax - It is a legal requirement. While it is not a legal obligation, I suspect that his mobility scooter is also insured.
To put it bluntly, he has as much right to use the roads as any car driver, and given that it is a mobility scooter, he also has the right to use it on the pavements at 4mph or less.”
by thebannedone
Saturday, February 11 2012, 8:15AM
“And the new question is...
Why has Union Street been resurfaced five times in five years, the last only eight months ago, and is getting a new topping, yet this ajacent road has no resurfacing in the past 12 years (though it has calming!)”
by realist2010
Saturday, February 11 2012, 6:53AM
“@drichardson, its a motorised vehicle. Why should they be allowed to zoom as you call it along the pavement. Children and vulnerable adults at risk. Maybe if you car drivers were not in such a constant hurry you could allow a cyclist or scooter to be in front of you. And dont use the `well i pay road tax` as its getting old.”
by drichardson
Saturday, February 11 2012, 6:21AM
“So now, motorists who pay road find licence can enjoy the priviledge of having another hazard of a mobility scooter zooming along in front of them along with cyclists who rule the roads.”