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Newbury Today Forum _ Newbury News _ The state of Newbury Roads
Posted by: Bloggo May 18 2009, 03:07 PM
In response to the request for input regarding this subject can I say that there are two roads in Newbury that I personally find dangerousnow as I am looking to avoid pot-holes rather than watching traffic.
These are the Old Bath Road at Speen, absolutely appalling and the route between Hungerford Common and Essex Street in Newbury.
I have no doubt that cars will be damaged by the horrendous road surface and maybe people will get hurt.
Posted by: Ben NWN May 18 2009, 03:26 PM
Thanks Bloggo.
Anyone else know of more dodgy roads around West Berkshire? It would be interesting to know if anyone's car has actually been damaged by these potholes.
Posted by: Twenty Something May 18 2009, 03:58 PM
I agree, I live near Essex Street and the potholes are a nightmare, I nearly went up on the kerb because of a particular one on a bend, in the dark. Also, not sure if it is the council's area but what a mess in the Budgen's/Thresher's Car Park!!
Posted by: Iommi May 18 2009, 04:18 PM
It seems a bit rich that a Lib Dem will condemn the roads in West Berks, when under their watch the roads seemed no better. Indeed, I would regard the standard of roads in the Newbury area to be in better condition than when they were in power.
These press releases only realy serve to remind us that elections are on the horizon.
Posted by: Good Boy Racer May 18 2009, 11:30 PM
This doesn't concern Westberks or Newbury but if you ever want to take your family up to Beacon Hill, watch out for a very very deep pot hole to the left as you enter the small car park. It blew my mates tire who was behind me, it gave a very slow puncture to a friend behind him and gave me a fast puncture when being in front. Pretty bad if you ask me.
Posted by: GMR May 19 2009, 02:15 PM
There are many roads around Turnpike that are very dangerous. When you complain they say they haven't got the money or other areas are a priority.
Posted by: Jolie May 19 2009, 11:40 PM
Going through Inkpen along the Craven Road into Hungerford is another bad road. 
Posted by: Andy May 20 2009, 12:40 PM
Northbrook Street outside Watersones....huge holes
Posted by: GMR May 21 2009, 07:09 PM
Northbrook Street outside Watersones....huge holes Yes, very huge
Posted by: Andrea May 22 2009, 09:09 AM
I find Elizabeth Avenue horrible to drive on. I remember being a learner driver and complaining to my teacher about the state of that one road, and now I have a car with hard suspension and I can't even go down that road otherwise I'm bouncing around in my seat!
Posted by: Gumbo May 22 2009, 09:58 AM
It is not just the bumps that make it a bad bit of road it is also the cars parked on it. The worst bit is by the first corner coming down the hill where you have to go round them not knowing if anything is coming or not!
Posted by: GMR May 22 2009, 08:18 PM
They've been needing improvement for ages. People have complained and nothing has been done about it.
Posted by: paisleybud Jun 4 2009, 02:38 PM
I drive and cycle and find that most of the roads in West Berkshire are a disgrace. The Reading Road and Soke Road in Padworth are terrible. I have been nearly run over several times coming out trying to avoid a pothole. Now and again they fill them in but they need to close of roads and completely relay the surface. When you are on a Hampshire road and then into a West Berkshire Road you can feel the difference immediately
Posted by: Bill1 Jun 5 2009, 10:58 AM
Really? Have you ever driven east from Portsmouth on the constant rumble strip that is the M27?
Posted by: Richard Head Jun 5 2009, 12:14 PM
Posted by: Jacklets Jun 5 2009, 02:00 PM
On many roads it's more than a couple of pot holes, and probably cheaper in the long term to resurface a road properly rather than endlessly "make do and mend" - the filled in holes don't last long before they need repairing again. Also, pot holes are dangerous to many road users - doesn't seem like a waste of money if it reduces accidents, injuries and possibly lives.
Posted by: Darren Jun 6 2009, 10:02 AM
Also the continual patching can hide underlying problems such as subsidence.
Posted by: santolina Aug 3 2009, 08:47 PM
Anyone else know of more dodgy roads around West Berkshire? It would be interesting to know if anyone's car has actually been damaged by these potholes.
The Hermitage part of Yattendon Road is very dodgy. Even if you do 20 mph you still feel the bumps and potholes.
I know that this is an old post, but I've just joined the site and playing catch up. So sorry if you regulars are fed up reading the same old posts!
Posted by: GMR Aug 3 2009, 09:02 PM
I know that this is an old post, but I've just joined the site and playing catch up. So sorry if you regulars are fed up reading the same old posts!
We are never fed up with going over ground - after all this is a Newbury forum - so just jump in wherever it tickles your fancy.
Posted by: spartacus Aug 3 2009, 10:31 PM
Kiln Road.... don't know about the potholes but there are dirty great LUMPS of tarmac every 50 metres or so. When I'm doing 50mph it really knackers the car....
For those public spirited types who may want to do something more practical than just moan on a website, try using the Council pothole reporting form....
http://ww2.westberks.gov.uk/InternetMapping/FaultReporting.aspx
Posted by: GMR Aug 3 2009, 10:38 PM
For those public spirited types who may want to do something more practical than just moan on a website, try using the Council pothole reporting form....
http://ww2.westberks.gov.uk/InternetMapping/FaultReporting.aspx
Are you talking about road humps?
I live not far from Kiln road.
Posted by: Newbury Expat Aug 4 2009, 01:38 AM
I live not far from Kiln road.
I grew up in a house on Cromwell Road - terrible road surface back then. Then a move to Valley Road and while that was decent, Lizzy Avenue (as already posted) was terrible, like slats had been placed every 10 feet or so, throw in cars parked both sides and a bus route and that's why I used to drive home via Andover Road most days!
Course now I drive on the 5 and 405 freeways and anything that couldn't swallow a medium sized hatchback doesn't even qualify as a pothole
Posted by: JeffG Aug 4 2009, 02:09 PM
If you take them amidships, you hardly notice them
. The only problem is they have been positioned too near to the centre of the road, so if there is something coming the other way your offside wheels have to go over them.Much worse are the narrow strips used for example at the entrance to the multistory near Northcroft, and at the recycling centre. If I took those at more than about 2 mph I would probably do serious damage to my car. There's a subtle difference between traffic calming and traffic destruction.
Posted by: Chesapeake Aug 4 2009, 05:59 PM
Are we talking about 'Rumble Strips', 'Sleeping Policemen', and 'Cushions' here? 
Posted by: GMR Aug 4 2009, 06:25 PM
I think so
Posted by: spartacus Aug 4 2009, 06:35 PM
The lumps of tarmac are 'cushions' (god I'm funny I am)
The 'narrow strips' will be the rubber 'thumps'. These can't be used on the public highway
Posted by: graham Aug 5 2009, 09:52 AM
The storey about our roads? well a couple of month`s ago i put a storey on here about the state of newbury`s road and the effect it has on our car tyres and the and that the potention to cause accidents and got a slating for it.
Where does our car tax money go becasue its not beeing spent maintaning our roads!
look at the guy from lambourn had a accident on his push bike which was caused by a pot hole!
some 1 is taking a back hander i think judging by the amont of cars around newbury and the traffic jams the roads should be in much better condition than they are ?
Posted by: Iommi Aug 5 2009, 10:56 AM
There's probably no back hander. Revenue from car ownership is simply, in part, spent else where.
Posted by: GMR Aug 5 2009, 11:05 AM
Where does our car tax money go becasue its not beeing spent maintaning our roads!
look at the guy from lambourn had a accident on his push bike which was caused by a pot hole!
some 1 is taking a back hander i think judging by the amont of cars around newbury and the traffic jams the roads should be in much better condition than they are ?
All taxes - whether be for roads or something else - go into one pot and then it is divided out. If at the end of it all there is enough for roads then roads will be improved. If not then tough!
Posted by: graham Aug 6 2009, 07:43 AM
I thought the idear of paying car tax was to maintain the roads! like council tax was ment to be spent maintaing the streets and emptying bins keeping west berks clean and tidy.So the council use the money to fund other things of less important things and explains why we see these waster`s drinking bottles of stella in the town centre maybe if the council stop funding these idots and put the money back into west berks we wouldnt moan!!!
Posted by: Iommi Aug 6 2009, 08:42 AM
Income tax was originally levied to fund a war with France.
Posted by: GMR Aug 6 2009, 09:59 AM
There is only one objective by a government when it comes to tax. To fund projects that suits them and make them look good. It has always been that way.
As for the rest I agree.
Posted by: JeffG Aug 6 2009, 11:11 AM
As far as I know VED has never been ring-fenced for road maintenance. It's just another tax.
Posted by: Strafin Aug 6 2009, 08:34 PM
It was until 1937.
Posted by: Iommi Aug 6 2009, 08:41 PM
SO EVERYONE, BEWARE OF 'GREEN' TAXES.
Posted by: Strafin Aug 6 2009, 08:42 PM
Good point, well made!
Posted by: GMR Aug 6 2009, 09:09 PM
Wasn't the point of a green environment to create extra taxes?
Posted by: Iommi Aug 6 2009, 09:13 PM
Exactly. What is, I understand, the case, is that local authorities are payed money by government to be spent on local roads. So there is a point to be made, i.e. are they spending the money appropriately.
Posted by: GMR Aug 6 2009, 09:43 PM
That makes a change
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