IN JUST a matter of days, the public has reported 120 perilous potholes on the streets of North East Lincolnshire.
The figure, collated since the beginning of this month, is three times what the council would normally receive in that period, and equates to about 10 calls a day.
Although the snow and ice may have cleared, it has left a trail of destruction – and concern for motorists – in its wake, and more reports of dangerous dips and hazardous holes are expected.
Since the Grimsby Telegraph ran an appeal for residents to report any potholes they encounter, highways teams are working extended hours to repair the roads.
With weather conditions now improving, North East Lincolnshire Council inspectors are continually assessing the roads network to make a list of priorities for carrying out the necessary repair work.
Jason Longhurst, the council's head of development, said: "Since we publicised how to report potholes we have received more than 120 calls, which is triple what we would normally receive over this period of time.
"We would like to thank the public for taking the time to report the potholes they have observed on the network.
"Our teams are now busy responding to these reports and organising the appropriate response based on this and other information they have collected from their inspections."
Meanwhile, Lincolnshire County Council is also appealing for residents to report any potholes they see in East and West Lindsey.
Councillor William Webb, the executive member for highways and transportation, said: "We have ten teams who are dedicated to reactive repairs.
"We run an emergency repairs service that aims to fix particularly bad pot holes within 24 hours, although it can be very difficult to repair them in wet or cold weather.
"Over the next two years, we'll invest a further £6.5 million to renew, repair and extend the life of roads across Lincolnshire.
"The extra funding will enable us to carry out more preventative work on our roads, so we can fix potholes before they even appear. We will also aim to deliver more first-time fixes.
"We encourage the public to report potholes to us so we can prioritise and schedule them for repair."
To report a pothole in North East Lincolnshire, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/AF/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=CdsPXWzGSj1 or call 01472 324500.
In Lincolnshire, call 01522 782070 or visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Editor's CommentPOTHOLES – a nightmare for all!
Motorists face big repair bills, or worse accidents, if they run over a particularly large one at any speed.
For cyclists or motorcyclists they pose a real danger to their safety.
And for councils across the land they are an unavoidable headache that they could well do without in such austere times.
But bigger they grow – like a force they cannot hold, they appear more prevalent than ever before. Look away, turn around again and another one is there!
They are filled in only for the weather to turn, more rain, hail, sleet and snow ... and there they are again.
It is not just holes either, but the general destruction of road surfaces that the continual bad weather causes.
The fact is many of our highways simply did not recover from the terrible conditions of a couple of years ago – repairs, whether temporary or otherwise, have just not held and we are back to square one.
You never know, if this carries on the Government may have to fund the introduction of more concrete surfaces – and then we will all have to buy earplugs!
Follow the editor on Twitter @michellelalor
