Our say

Council was ‘irresponsible’ to ignore pothole dangers

16th April 2009

Unbelievable news this week about Navestock Parish Council in Essex that decided, in its wisdom, that far from being a costly and potentially dangerous menace, potholes should NOT be reported to the county council, NOT be filled in and NOT take up any precious budget.

The reason for this outlandish suggestion? Potholes, they say, should remain as ‘traffic calming’ measures, as their presence might slow down traffic in the area.

True enough, we suppose, but only if drivers know they are there to begin with. Any unwitting motorist, especially those on motorbikes, who come across a nasty pothole in an unlit area, could easily face an inconvenience far more serious than having to slow down. One sudden swerve to avoid a pothole, one motorcyclist dismounted by a crater in the road, and this astonishingly irresponsible parish council would be responsible for a lot more than the village fete!

And that’s before you think about the potentially huge cost in car repair bills that these councillors are doling out glibly to the residents in their charge.

“Irresponsible” and “ridiculous” are two words Potholes.co.uk used publically to describe the councillors in this story. Other words were used privately in the office......