POTHOLES REPAIRED 11/2 -SO WHY DID I HIT THEM ON 17/2?

28th June 2010

Potholes on Ashley Road, Weston-by-Welland

I put in a claim to the Northamptonshire Council
for a cracked wheel arch caused by hitting 2 potholes. After their standard 3 month wait for a reply they said in their letter that the site was examined in 4/2 and a defect found and (supposedly) repaired on 11/2 which met the timescales. Yet sometime within the next 6 days 2 massive potholes miraculously re-appeared and I hit them on 17/2. Yet after I reported it was filled in very quickly and somehow the tarmac hasn't jumped out like it must have done last time they (cough) repaired it . I have asked the Council to supply me with any more claims they have dealth with or have pending for these potholes, and asked if anyone bothers to inspect the repairs carried out. I also asked if they were satisied with the shoddy work ie 2 potholes reappearing within 6 days of allegedly being filled in. I have also asked for the address of the Ombudsman, and I've told them I'll fight the case no matter how long it takes.

Can anyone offer any other advice, or is there anyone out there who hit the same 2 potholes on the Ashley Road going towards Weston-by-Welland?

Does anyone know if there is a time limit for replying, although I intend to send an e-mail tonight asking for confirmation of receipt?

Many thanks,. ROSIE BURROWS

Replies (1)

Potholes.co.uk Expert     posted : 29/06/10 at 10:09 am

I appreciate that it is often tempting, but please try to refrain from sarcasm, even on a website forum like this. For you to win this case, you will almost certainly have to go to Court at some point, and everything you have said could be read out, to your detrement. Local authorities check this website regularly, and with you leaving you name and the location of your incident, there is every chance that your innuendoes are already in their case file.

If your claim hinges on you alleging that potholes can not reoccur or that they can not form in 6 days (irrespective of size) then you are onto a none starter, and the local authority will know this.

Do you constantly check every repair you have had done on your house or car? Probably not. They are allowed to trust the people who work for them and will probably only 'spot check' about 5-10% of repairs. Trying to suggest that they should check every repair undertaken will fall on deaf ears.

An ombudsman is very unlikely to intervene in a legal dispute. That is not their role.

My suggestion is that you take a step back and try to approach things more methodically than asking questions such as whether or not they are happy with shoddy work. You can't honestly expect an answer to that question. Maybe request some proper information (see our step by step guide) and start comparing their actions to the national standards to see what you uncover.