Report those potholes

May 10 2008 by Our Correspondent, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

I HAVE noticed a couple of reports in the Examiner about people having damage caused to their car tyres, rims and other parts of the vehicle.

The main cause for this damage, according to the reports, was the poor state of the highway, where potholes have occurred in the roadway due to lack of maintenance.

Kirklees Highways use the same get-out clause with innumerable people, saying they have highways inspectors who check the roads regularly and that any dangerous holes are then filled in before damage is done.

Well the only recourse I can see for this problem is for every member of the public, whether driving or on foot, who sees a pothole they consider dangerous, should, in fact, report it straight away.

When they do so they should ask for a reference number for the report – either computer-generated or pad-indexed – and the name of person to whom they have reported the matter to. Also, advise that person that you are making a note of the time and date reported and whom to.

Believe you me the numbers of callers are likely to be colossal, but it will get the roads repaired. Otherwise the named persons on the report, would be guilty of failing to correct a defect which, if it resulted in an accident, would deem the council to be liable.

As far as I am aware the council, once informed of a defect, has a legal responsibility to correct the fault at the earliest opportunity.

davecee...