'Spot the pot' hotline mooted to help grass up highway problems

Potholes however, not class B drugs, will be the menace in the council’s crosshairs.
West Berkshire Council’s shadow executive member for highways Keith Woodhams (Thatcham West) is asking for the hotline to be set up to enable councillors, officers and staff to report damaged roads and sunken drain covers at the earliest opportunity.
He said giving council inspectors materials to fix the problem as they tour the highways would result in a “right first time” approach to pothole repair as suggested in a recent Government report on road repairs.
The Pothole Review, commissioned by Local Transport Minister Norman Baker, advised councils to take the approach and fix damage immediately rather than face continuous bills.
“Potholes reported to ‘Spot the Pot’ hotline will take priority to meet the reporting timescale,” he said.
“In addition, the inspectors should liaise directly with the contractors referring them immediately to potholes or sunken drain covers that are in a dangerous condition.
The leader of the council, Graham Jones (Con, Lambourn), said he felt the suggestion was “ill-informed”.
“I would regard a ‘spot the pot’ reporting line as being something for the Drug Squad rather than road maintenance,” he said.
“The council already does most of what he is suggesting, we thank him for endorsing our policies.
“We already have a reporting hotline - customer services 01635 519080/customerservices@westberks.gov.uk. I would encourage the public, staff and councillors to use it.”