Painted potholes condemned as 'a nonsense'

These potholes, pictured in Kintbury, with white line markings running across them and through them have sparked furious comment from villagers, who say it is a waste of taxpayers’ money.
But West Berkshire Council insist that the move is a vital safety measure.
Kintbury villager of 18 years, Philip Wilson, who spotted the painted potholes at the Station Road/Newbury Street junction said: “The white surface markings have been renewed - the lines go into the pot holes, across the bottom of them, out and over the other side and on to the next pot hole. What a nonsense!”
A West Berkshire resident of over four decades, Mr Wilson said he had never seen the district’s highways - particularly rural roads - in such “a dreadful state.”
He said: “Mill Lane, which runs from the A4 to the Kintbury railway crossing had numerous deep pot holes at the sides and down the centre. Recently about 50 per cent were filled in, but the others left unrepaired, and some of these were the most dangerous. I am mystified!” and adding that he was pleased he was not a cyclist.
“I have only just realised that the safety slogan ‘keep your eyes on the road’ meant keep a sharp look out for pot holes and swerve,” he added.
Chairman of Kintbury Parish Council, Stephen Cook, said similar line markings across potholes could be found throughout Kintbury, close to road junctions, and were he said: “commonplace.”
Several villagers, he continued, had remarked the money would have been better spent repairing the potholes: “They would have been better off doing the repair first and then the white lines - it’s ridiculous!” said Mr Cook.
“The whole system is a joke and we (taxpayers) have to pay for it!”
WBC spokeswoman, Peta Stoddart-Crompton hit back at the criticism however, stating the road marking were a vital safety measure:
"No, this is not a waste of money. It is ensuring that road markings are correct and therefore safe for drivers at all times,” said Miss Stoddart-Crompton.
Last month, the distict council pledged to set aside an extra £1.39m from its highways and transport capital programme to speed up the rate of repairs folowing months of criticism from residents, much of it reported in the Newbury Weekly News and on Newburytoday.co.uk
Have you, or your vehicle recently been affected by potholes on a West Berkshire, or north Hampshire road? Anyone with photographs, or stories, please email jane.meredith@newburynews.co.uk.