Pothole ‘trauma’ of mum and kids
NICK HUGHES
AMUM has hit out at the state of the Valley’s roads after she claims her BMW car was left undriveable by a huge pothole.
Helena Hoyle, who owns the Ruby and Daisy clothes shop in Haslingden, was driving along Kirk Hill Road when she says she hit a pothole, damaging the car which is less than a year old.
In the vehicle car at the time were her children, aged 12, 10 and six, who she says were left shaken up by the incident.
Helena, 39, said: “My car slammed into it, sending sheer panic through myself and my three children in the car.
“It’s done damage, not sure how much yet as my car is still in the garage over a week later. I had to get it collected as it wasn’t driveable.
“It popped my tyre and it smashed the wheels and all of the car’s underneath. I’m waiting to hear of what other damage has been caused.”
Helena says she wasn’t the only driver caught out by the pothole.
She added: “I know of four other vehicles that were affected within a 20-minute window that ●● The pothole before it was filled in and concerned driver Helena Hoyle (inset) morning alone. One was a Range Rover, which tells you how deep it was.”
Helena informed the county council about the pothole immediately, who had it filled in, but said the pothole is now starting to reappear.
Helena said she is ‘very dependent’ on her car for work, and has been left frustrated by the incident.
She said: “I am still angry and upset about the whole situation as it traumatised my children and has caused me a major inconvenience having to deal with insurance companies, garages and paperwork.
“My biggest concern with this pothole, and many others that are nearly as bad, is they are a death trap, they could easily cause fatalities to a cyclist or motorbiker.”
Lancashire County Council said it made a temporary repair on the day and has scheduled a permanent fix.
A spokesperson added: “Whenever we can, we make a permanent repair the first time, ensuring that the edges of the hole are sealed to ensure the repair will last.
“However, when the location is on a busy road such as this we often have to make an immediate temporary fix until we can return and put traffic management in place so that we can safely make a permanent repair.”
A Lancashire County Council spokesperson said they understood the pothole was due to be fully repaired on Wednesday, March 8. ●● Police investigating off Burnley Road PUPILS from a Valley school have been extending their knowledge of the law and justice system.
A group from Water Primary School recently took part in a legal education workshop with charity the National Centre for Citizenship and the Law (NCCL). The activity took place at the Greater Manchester Police Museum using their historic 1895 Magistrates’ Courtroom.
The aim of the visit was for pupils to learn more about the history of crime and punishment through time.
Lizzy McKay, assistant headteacher, said: “The best bit of the day was when they got to role play in the court, they loved being in role as a barrister or even the judge - they even enjoyed playing the defendant.
“The role play was current and thoughtprovoking and inspired a great debate.”
Email learning@nccl. org.uk for more information. ●● Year 5 and 6 pupils from Water Primary School visited the Greater Manchester Police Museum as part of learning about the justice system