West Berkshire residents demand action to tackle potholes

Beenham villager, Mike Weston, damaged his car on December 27, when driving between Marlston and Bucklebury village:
“I was driving along this road and immediately before the public footpath past Elmwood, when I hit a pothole that caused an immediate deflation of my tyre and ruined my wheel rim,” said Mr Weston, who continued:
“I believe West Berkshire Council (WBC) must have this road striped and resurfaced as a matter of urgency, there is no way of avoiding the potholes along this road and I think it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident to walkers, riders or drivers on this stretch of road.”
Mr Weston reported the incident to WBC and followed this up with a Freedom of Information request, as to the frequency of inspections and repairs to the road.
Also affected by potholes was the friend of local resident Ashley Vass, while travelling along the Turnpike Road, at the junction with Rookes Way:
“Last Sunday my mate hit on of these pot holes and bent his wheel and needed a new tyre. It has been filled in several times and is on a junction of a hospital there was a bus that was grounded there and they (WBC) have had loads of complaints,” said Mr Vass.
Richard Tozer, of Thatcham, also damaged his vehicle due to a pothole near West Berkshire Community Hospital:
“I went in a pothole on the back Road behind Newbury Hospital on New Year’s Day which blew my tyre and damaged my alloy wheel. I have put a claim in to West Berks Council and am awaiting to hear back from them,” said Mr Tozer.
Brimpton villager, Peter Bibby, said in April last year, WBC contractors repaired large potholes in Wasing Road, Brimpton, leaving smaller adjacent potholes unrepaired:
“Now 9 months later the small unrepaired potholes have grown in size and are a hazard, this together with the poor standard of workmanship of the repaired potholes has resulted in the roads being in a worst state than before last years repairs were carried out,” said Mr Bibby, who continued:
“How is it possible for me to have driven around the same potholes over the last eighteen months when the council state that the roads are inspected every six months?”
Last week, after the NWN published photographs of potholes in Love Lane, Donnington and Aldworth, West Berkshire Council said potholes reported and repaired in December were as a result of heavy rainfall in recent months.
Potholes can be reported to WBC online at www.westberkshire.gov.uk/reportaproblem, or by telephoning (01635) 519080.
Anyone with a story, or photographs concerning potholes, please email jane.meredith@newburynews.co.uk.