Report pothole issues to council, say police
APOLICE boss has made a request of drivers that is likely to create a lot of work for Cheshire East Council.
John Dwyer, Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, wants motorists to report potholes to the local authority.
He says the issue is a ‘concerning’ one after hearing from car owners involved in road accidents trying to avoid potholes.
Macclesfield residents have long argued that the town is a hotspot with Hulley Road, Ivy Lane and Priory Lane previously said to be particularly bad.
Residents near Walker Lane, Sutton, also said that last year the condition of this road could cause an accident.
Mr Dwyer said: “It’s concerning to hear that the actions motorists are taking to avoid making contact with bad potholes can actually cause an even greater danger on our roads.
“While potholes aren’t a policing issue on their own, I encourage everyone to report them to their local council so they can gather the intelligence about where they are and come up with a solution to fix them.
“We all have a part to play in making Cheshire’s roads safer.”
March is potentially among the worst times of year for potholes.
The council says a reason for road surfaces breaking up is fluctuating weather patterns of rain and frost associated with winter.
And then the largest
maintenance schemes are scheduled for spring and summer.
Within that any ‘defects’ requiring urgent intervention are ‘repaired within an agreed time frame, and in accordance with the highways inspection code of practice’.
However last year the council said that there was a backlog of more than £150m of highways repairs and an annual budget of £21m to fund them.
As has been widely reported its financial situation has worsened since then.
Road issues that present an immediate danger can be reported by calling 0300 123 5020 during working hours or 0300 123 5025 outside working hours. People can also use the FixMyStreet app.