Potholes (debate) opening up again

The subject of potholes has returned in emails to AudlemOnline and on the Chatbox as many will be seeing, and manoeuvring their way around, some local whoppers.

Local roads campaigner, Peter Oxley, says: "I am stunned by the dreadful standard of the repairs and that most of the previous pothole repairs that were filled (rather than 'patched') around October, have now all pretty much opened up again, confirming what many are saying about the wasting of money with such a low grade repair.

"Other counties' authorities seem to be doing a much more professional repair regime and Cheshire East are just not taking this seriously enough.

"We live in a cold, wet part of Northern Europe – get used to it, Cheshire East! And do the appropriate road repair and laying that will last more than a fortnight to ensure the integrity of the road surface. North Germany (same climate) doesn't suffer this poor quality road network, and nor should we. The local road network is so bad it needs completely re-laying in many areas, not bodging.

"I think the local Parish Council should demand Cheshire East's highway manager explain this dreadful state of affairs and what corrective action they have planned. In short – if these roads are inspected every 3 months as he previous claimed (to much derision) at the September PC meeting – why are they not noticing these terrible roads condition?

"They all deserve to be sacked if we judge their performance by the state of our local roads...
They are now worse than ever – quite unfit and unsafe for use."

Peter also takes issue with what he says was a lack of gritting during the recent snow and ice conditions in the far south of the county.

Chatbox

The Chatbox has returned to the potholes too. Vert suggested: " Perhaps repair of potholes should be devolved to Parish Councils with Cheshire East retaining responsibility for road resurfacing. Local accountability would very probably improve matters."

Ann T responded: "What an idea! Not too bad devolving these responsibilities back to local councils if finances are similarly diverted, or are we to buy ourselves a red and a green flag and have a small gang mending the potholes while two others try to keep them safe. We could charge a toll as they entered the parish for the upkeep of the roads."

This went down well with Del: "AnnT, what a flash of brilliance – Toll Road. In one stroke we could improve the condition of our roads particularly if we engaged outside contractors and we could massively reduce HGV traffic though the village by levying a loaded rate on them. Brilliant."

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