The road surface problem

The state of the local roads has attracted attention on the Chatbox in recent days as well as news coverage, particularly the Coxbank flood – see our latest photo showing the road surface now the flood has subsided.

The roads are, without doubt, pretty appalling in this area – just 1% rated them as good in the 2010 Audlem Parish Plan survey of local residents. However, according to the following national news story, the problem is countrywide:

"The Government's decision to cut the road maintenance budget will cost the taxpayer more in the long term, MPs have warned.

"Motorists could face increased costs to fix their cars because essential repairs to roads were not being carried out, the Public Accounts Committee said.

"Margaret Hodge, committee chairman, said: "Short-term budget cutting could prove counter-productive, costing more in the long term as a result of increased vehicle damage and the higher cost of reapiring more severe road damage.""

A local campaigner says: "It appears that the government has a policy on roads which is just being implemented by the councils! So may I suggest that people contact our MP about the state of the roads rather than vent anger on this website and at Cheshire East council."

An Audlem Online correspondent adds this morning: "I went out on my bike at the weekend and found the experience to be like the Deathrace 2000 movie as I wobbled and swerved my way between craters and cars!

"A BBC report this morning says that it could take 11 years for our roads to recover because local authorities have patched up on a temporary basis instead of re-laying the roads properly.

"Audlem, being a village that is popular with cyclists has roads of special concern and there could be a very serious accident unless the repairs are done properly soon."

You can report a pothole online in Cheshire East by clicking on the link below the photo. 

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.