Residents’ anger over state of ‘lethal’ potholes
RESIDENTS living on a pothole-ridden street have voiced their anger and frustration after the council reaffirmed their decision to not adopt the road.
The potholes on Knob Hall Lane in Southport have been compared to “craters” with people worried about the possible consequences should someone drive over them at speed.
Paul Noble, who has has been living on the road for three years, said older houses with no foundations “literally shake” when cars go past with people who don’t know the road “belting up and down”.
Last week Sefton Council stood by its decision not to invest in Knob Hall Lane stating that it is an “unadopted road” following an “extensive investigation” and therefore “not responsible for its upkeep”.
Granby Close, Knob Hall Gardens, Croston’s Brow and Cotty’s Brow all come off Knob Hall Lane and people living on these roads are forced to use Knob Hall Lane to get to and from their homes, the ECHO reports.
One point that seemed to crop up when the Visiter spoke to people who have lived on the road for many years, is the fact people on some adopted roads have to put up with a number of potholes.
Paul Noble told about his and his wife’s frustrations.
He said: “People who know the road avoid the potholes, people who don’t know the road belt up and down here.
“A lot of the older houses, such as this one and the ones at the [Radnor Road] end of the road have got no foundations and when cars go past the houses literally shake.”
Another resident, Graham Eyes, a local butcher, spoke about his frustrations as well.
He said: “When I bought this house in 2006 I was under the impression from the solicitors that the road was partially adopted which I was OK with but I’m a bit annoyed that the council has decided to wash their hands with it. In places the road is lethal.
“Somebody is going to have a really bad accident at some point, especially the Marshside Road end because when it rains they fill up with water and you can’t see it.”
The row between Sefton Council has been ongoing for a number of years, with Paul claiming that a company used to fill in potholes until just a few years ago.
A Sefton Council meeting discussed the future of Knob Hall Lane earlier this month.
The meeting of Sefton Council’s overview and scrutiny committee saw a decision “called in” by Liberal Democrat councillor Leo Evans where he said that it was just a “matter of time” before a serious accident took place.
A report released in December last year stated that after substantial research and legal advice, officers had recommended the council have no responsibility for the upkeep of Knob Hall Lane going forward, a decision then approved by Cabinet member for locality services, Cllr John Fairclough.
Calling on the council to reconsider their decision, Cllr Evans said: “I am concerned where this decision leaves residents and the situation going forward.
“It is only a matter of time before a serious accident takes place and there are issues around legality.
“I ask for it to be considered whether or not there are other alternatives, such as reinstating the keepsake policy or alternative methods for adoption otherwise the situation won’t change and will only get worse.”
Sefton Council has confirmed they stand by their reaffirmed decision.
A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “We are aware the issue of maintenance responsibility for Knob Hall Lane has been the source of dispute for many years.
“Recently Sefton Council undertook extensive historical investigations into the matter, which involved a thorough search of the Council’s documentary records and seeking further independent legal advice.
“The findings from this extensive investigation reaffirmed that, as Knob Hall Lane is an unadopted road, Sefton Council are not responsible for its upkeep.
“Ultimately any liability remains with the landowners.
“There have been several attempts to secure the agreement of property owners on Knob Hall Lane to bring the lane up to the required standard, but unfortunately each attempt has failed.”
Southport MP Damien Moore also shares the opinions of those living on the battered road.
He said: “I fully support the residents of Knob Hall Lane. I have been pursuing this matter with Sefton Council and other organisations on behalf of residents and hope that the Council will see sense, rather than hide behind opaque legal loopholes.
“Sefton Council have given three developments the green light, all of which use Knob Hall Lane for access.
“The council has instruments at their disposal to ask that developers bring access roads up to adoptable standards as a condition of planning approval, which sadly has not been used.
“Considering the council is intent upon spending millions on cycle lane expansions, liveable neighbourhood schemes, and on the Bootle Strand, I would say it is quite unacceptable that they stubbornly refuse to take responsibility for this road.”