Lincoln drivers slam state of city’s roads as pothole-related breakdowns double in decade

Frustrated Lincoln motorists have criticised the “appalling” state of the city’s roads as a new study revealed that the number of pothole-related breakdowns has doubled in the last 10 years.

Angry drivers have been voicing their opinions on Facebook, listing roads which have fallen into a state of disrepair and stretches which have had potholes unsuccessfully filled.

Now, Lincolnshire County Council’s portfolio holder for highways has even admitted that the council does not have adequate resources to check every single pothole.

Councillor Richard Davies said that the authority had fixed in the region of 100,000 potholes in the county last year, but was unable to monitor all road repairs.

He said: “We expect the quality of work carried out by our appointed contractors to be of sufficient quality and although we do monitor the work when possible, unfortunately we do not have the resources to check every single pothole.

“When made aware of potholes which have not been repaired sufficiently we will ensure they are repaired by the contractor.

“All potholes reported to the council are fixed in order of priority and subject to sufficient funding.

Any potholes that are deemed dangerous are fixed as a matter of urgency. We then prioritise others determined by size and the category and use of the road.

“I would urge anyone who comes across a pothole to report in online at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk to ensure that we are aware of it.”

“Sorry state”

Councillor Davies’ admission comes as a study by motoring organisation RAC has shown that pothole-related call outs across the country have doubled in the last 10 years.

The study, which compared the percentage share of the RAC’s pothole-related breakdowns to all other types of call-out alongside historic rainfall and frost data, revealed a 125% increase from 2006 to 2016 in the proportion of vehicle breakdowns where poor road surfaces were likely to be a contributory factor.

In the 12 months ending in June 2006, pothole-related breakdowns, such as damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels, represented an average of 0.4% of all RAC call-outs.

However, at the end of the 12 months to June 2016 this percentage had risen to 0.9%.

Readers of The Lincolnite were also quick to respond when asked for their experiences of the county’s roads.

Damaged road surface on Wigford Way in Lincoln. Photo: Sarah Harrison-Barker

Jim Pooley said: “The roads around here are scary.

“There’s been a few times our wheels have hit a pothole that’s sent the car towards the incoming traffic. Luckily we haven’t crashed.”

Bob Lovett said: “I don’t think a memory card has been invented yet that could hold all the images of the appalling state of Lincolnshire’s, if not the country’s roads!”

Alicia Webb added: “I’ve just had a refund back from Lincolnshire County Council for £312 after potholes trashed all my tyres.”

Boysie Mark Hogan simply said: “The roads have never been in such a sorry state.”

Highlighted areas

Councillor Davies also addressed a number of pothole sites which were raised by readers of The Lincolnite:

• Skellingthorpe Road by the pedestrian crossing – scheduled for repair
• Turning right at the junction of Wragby Road and Greetwell Road – scheduled for repair
• One mile going west towards Lincoln on A158 from Rand Farm – scheduled for repair
• Turning left off Tritton Road onto Dixon Street – council investigating
• High Street by the train tracks – responsibility of Network Rail
• Dixon Street in front of the memorial – believed to have been caused by utility company works and council now investigating
• Heath Lane from A15 to Boothby Graffoe – council monitoring