DRIVING US QUACKERS Potholes now as big as a family bath
The number of potholes in Perth and Kinross has gone up by over a third in the past year.
According to Perth and Kinross Council, the number of potholes on the region’s roads in January was 33 per cent higher than in January 2017.
The local authority says this is due to the recent spell of very severe weather as heavy snow, freezing temperatures and melting ice can cause potholes to form.
With so many extra potholes now plaguing Perth and Kinross’ roads, the PA took some rubber ducks out for a splash in some of the offending hazards.
As there were so many to choose from, the ducks had a wonderful time.
This comes after Scotland marked National Pothole Day on Thursday last week.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council confirmed the increase in the number of potholes but did not answer the PA’s question of what was being done to tackle the issue.
The spokesperson said: “The current condition of the road network in Perth and Kinross is a direct consequence of Potholes like this one on Comelybank have been a big issue
the recent spell of very severe weather and inclement conditions experienced throughout the winter period and is therefore not restricted to Perth and Kinross alone.
“A comparison of the number of potholes between January 2017 and January 2018 in the Perth and Kinross area
shows an increase of 33 per cent on last year.
“This is directly attributable to the weather and is an increase which is reflected across other local authority areas.”
The PA asked residents across Perth and Kinross for a spothole check on where the potholes are. Responses included Pitcullen Crescent, Crieff Road, Shore Road, Craigend Junction, outside Kincarrathie House, Brahan Terrace, Appin Terrace, Dunkeld Road, Comelybank, Murray Place and Coll Place in Perth. Other areas included Heughfield Road in Bridge of Earn, East Moulin Road in Pitlochry, Bolfracks outside of Aberfeldy and Woodside in Luncarty.
Last week Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, blamed the Conservative administration at the local authority for what he dubbed an“abject failure”to look after the region’s roads.
Cllr Angus Forbes, convener of environment and infrastructure at the council, said:“When the Conservativeled administration took over the council last year one of the things we did was to redefine a pothole. There are a number of potholes across Perth and Kinross
“The previous SNP definition was 60 millimetres deep. We changed that to 40 millimetres deep. This will have an impact on the number of reported potholes. However, the issue that makes the most difference is the weather: heavy snow freezing and then melting. This is not unique to Perth and Kinross.”
Readers can report potholes online at www.my.pkc.gov.uk