I'm so fed up I'm thinking of fixing the pothole myself!

4th July 2011

Hi there

I live in South Buckinghamshire and Bucks County Council is uninterested in fixing even major roads with huge holes in, so I despair that our residential road will ever be fixed.

However, the surface on our road is so bad we'll soon need a 4x4 just to get to our house and I'm worried about what it's doing to our vehicle, and our house price!

I've seen various 'fix it yourself' kits you can buy online, but I was wondering about my legal position if I were to fill a few potholes myself. Surely it's 'big society' of me and no one will mind?! Or will I be making myself liable? Any legal minds out there able to advise?

thx, Sally

Replies (5)

Potholes.co.uk Expert     posted : 14/07/11 at 9:10 am

I'm not sure just how serious you are, but just so we are clear, potholes.co.uk does not in anyway condone or encourage anyone to undertake any kind of repair to the highway unless they are authorised to do so by the highway authority.

Even the quietest road carries a risk of you coming into conflict with traffic. If you are aware of a defect in the road or footway, the correct course of action is to notify the relevant highway authority.

sam2011     posted : 13/07/11 at 4:49 pm

Well, the road is a quiet side road, so I imagine a few cones will suffice. Sounds like this might work.

Potholes.co.uk Expert     posted : 13/07/11 at 10:19 am

1.A certificate in traffic management as you will need to erect cones and signs in accordance with national standards. ou could use a large yellow van with 2 flashing beacons and a blue arrow on the rear.

sam2011     posted : 12/07/11 at 2:13 pm

I run my business from home and have this anyway. What else do I need?!

Potholes.co.uk Expert     posted : 07/07/11 at 9:17 am

It's tempting I know, but I wouldn't recommend it. For a start, you need £5 million public liability insurance to do any work on a public highway.