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Posted by: HJD Dec 25 2012, 09:18 AM

Report on Newburytoday.

Mr Woodhams said: “I am disappointed that my suggestion of a spot the pothole hotline has been dropped.

“Public engagement is crucial to alert the council to potholes appearing. The motorists can pay a very high price for repairs.”


It is also quite possible that a Cyclist or Motorcylist could pay the ultimate price if they hit a pothole !!!

Posted by: GMR Dec 25 2012, 09:36 AM

I agree that cyclist and Motorcyclist pay the ultimate price of potholes. As a keen cyclist and car user myself I have found that there has been no change in the roads and the potholes disappearing. On top of that I didn't even know there was a pothole hotline. Seeing as it is going to disappear I probably won't notice any change, nor, I doubt, will half of the Newbury motor users and cyclists.

It is no good have such a hotline if it wasn't going to be acted upon.

Posted by: Andy Capp Dec 25 2012, 10:30 AM

" To report a pothole or problem with one of the district’s roads, call 01635 519080 or email customerservices@westberks.gov.uk "

BTW - if you phone, they will claim to have not heard about the pot hole before the call.


http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2012/pothole-hotline-dropped-by-council

Posted by: GMR Dec 25 2012, 10:58 AM

Isn't that pointless now? Seeing as they are closing down the hotline?



Typical.

Posted by: JeffG Dec 25 2012, 11:01 AM

Read the article.

Posted by: motormad Dec 25 2012, 11:02 AM

People who are posting in this thread are clearly the single Father's of this part of the world.

Posted by: JeffG Dec 25 2012, 11:04 AM

Or even filling in time before going to family for lunch. You assume too much.

Posted by: GMR Dec 25 2012, 11:26 AM

Why? Wasn't he concise enough?

Posted by: GMR Dec 25 2012, 11:27 AM

Or going to Church and ask for forgiveness for their sins.

Posted by: Andy Capp Dec 25 2012, 11:31 AM

Yes, it is called keeping out of the way.

Posted by: Andy Capp Dec 25 2012, 11:33 AM

Where does it say that?

Posted by: GMR Dec 25 2012, 11:40 AM

It said - in the title - it was dropped. Granted I didn't read beyond that (i.e. the link) but what the heck. This is a forum with plenty of know it all's ready and waiting to correct me or anybody else if we should make a slip into the abyss. At least it keeps them occupied. Look at it as my Christmas present to the pedantic.

Posted by: blackdog Dec 25 2012, 05:19 PM

Common sense rules for a change. One of the dafter Lib Dem ideas - there is already a number to call to report potholes. What difference would another phone number make? Calling it a 'hotline' wouldn't make the repairs happen any sooner - just wind up those who think it should.

Posted by: Andy Capp Dec 25 2012, 08:06 PM

Nothing to do with 'know it alls', just establish some facts before spouting the odds will do.

Posted by: Andy Capp Dec 25 2012, 08:07 PM

Exactly; they are quite prepared to ignore calls already, let alone have a hot line to achieve the same result.

Posted by: NWNREADER Dec 25 2012, 09:05 PM

I have reported problems on the website - to Streetcare - and achieved the desired outcome. I had no knowledge of a 'Pothole Hotline'.
The ability to report faults remains, without the cost of an (apparently u-used) line.

What is the problem?

Posted by: Andy Capp Dec 25 2012, 09:16 PM

Agreed, a non story in my view, however, unattended potholes seem to be on the increase.

Posted by: NWNREADER Dec 25 2012, 10:08 PM

You want them attended? Volunteers or paid staff?

There will be an increase at the moment as the recent frosts and current rains will rip up the surface.
Report, report, report......

Posted by: Andy Capp Dec 26 2012, 10:52 AM

By the same means as before would do; potholes can be dangerous and a failure to repair them properly will mean an even bigger bill later.

Posted by: Biker1 Dec 26 2012, 11:38 AM

You could effectively fill in potholes with some of that excuse for Christmas pudding I was served at the Newbury Hilton the other day!!

Posted by: Strafin Dec 26 2012, 11:49 AM

I had a Christmas pudding there, there covered it with fresh berries for some reason!

Posted by: Biker1 Dec 26 2012, 11:53 AM

Probably a vain attempt to make iit even slightly palatable!

Posted by: NWNREADER Dec 26 2012, 01:20 PM

Aaahhh..... I thought you meant you wanted an attendant to stand over the hole. I now think you mean you wanted them attended to.

Like I said, never a problem reporting via Streetcare. Waiting for the Council to spot on their routine patrols could mean a few weeks or more, depending on location....

Posted by: Andy Capp Dec 26 2012, 02:26 PM

If you want a to start all that shoite, you'd better pick on someone less capable. In this instance, I am comfortable with my choice of words, notwithstanding you knew exactly what I meant.

un·at·tend·ed
/ˌənəˈtendid/
Adjective
1 Not noticed or dealt with: "her behaviour went unnoticed and unattended to".
2 Not supervised or looked after: "it is not acceptable for parents to leave children unattended at that age".

unattended
adjective
1. abandoned, left alone, unguarded, ignored, disregarded, not cared for, unwatched An unattended bag was spotted near the platform at Gatwick.
2. alone, on your own, unaccompanied, unescorted, unwatched Never leave young children unattended.

Posted by: blackdog Dec 26 2012, 04:05 PM

The was no pothole hotline - it was just an idea of a Lib Dem councillor - who was either stupid enough to think it would make a difference or decided that proposing something that sounded good, even though it was actually totally daft, would give him a chance to make the Tories look bad when they rejected the idea.

Gives his constituents something to think about at the next election - is he an idiot or just a sly politico?

Posted by: Exhausted Dec 26 2012, 09:44 PM

Despite all the white noise on this thread, I agree with blackdog. Political posturing.

A statement that starts "It is a well known fact that.....(anything you like here)..." has the same sort of credibility. Before you can refute the statement, the opening words have to be disproved.

Posted by: Andy Capp Dec 26 2012, 10:59 PM

In the main I agree with both blackdog and NWNREADER. There is a place to contact the council already. Making a special case for it could be costly.

Other sites:

http://www.fillthathole.org.uk
http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/hazards/map

http://www.potholes.co.uk/

Posted by: spartacus Dec 27 2012, 08:27 PM

I've met him and spoken to him..... My opinion is formed..... Nothing 'sly' about him.

But if you REALLY want to experience 'potholes with a consequence' then drive down the A34 from the M1 junction. Massive areas (and quite deep) on a very high speed road. If I was a biker I would be very concerned... They rattled my teeth in a car...

Posted by: x2lls Dec 28 2012, 08:03 AM

The pothole repairers were out last night at around 18:00. They filled the one at the bottom of Stoney Lane( Newbury, not Thatcham).

Posted by: NWNREADER Dec 28 2012, 05:55 PM

Sounds like KW proposed the idea of a dedicated hotline. After investigation the proposal has been dropped as it does not add value. Anyone who proposes an idea is entitled to be disappointed, but there is no reduction/cancellation of service I can see.

Having known the chap for quite a few years I reckon he is an old school dedicated councillor who is at his best when not politicking. A few straight chats have led to clarity on a number of issues, and he then pushing for the right kind of action....

Posted by: gel Dec 30 2012, 01:03 PM

Many other councils, including neighbouring Wilts County Council have such a hotline, and it's branded too; it has signs on various roads, with a logo of a lion called CLARENCE; (Customer Lighting And Roads ENquiry CEntre) ;you are invited to ring the 0800 hotline to report road defects.
0800 is a bit pointless unless calling from a landline of course.

Posted by: user23 Dec 30 2012, 02:55 PM

You can http://www.westberks.gov.uk/frontline/describe_case.aspx.

Posted by: NWNREADER Dec 30 2012, 03:17 PM

Agreed, but the fact remains that is the same as WBC already have, not a dedicated 'pothole hotline'.

Posted by: Jayjay Dec 30 2012, 03:22 PM

Not a pothole but is there anywhere you can report dirty big puddles. Between Sainsbury's crossing and the telephone exchange building there is a four inch puddle. Shaw road had a full resurfing done two years ago which has moved the six inch puddle from one side of the road to the other and adjacent to a bus stop. Both of these occur in moderate rain.

Posted by: NWNREADER Dec 30 2012, 04:39 PM

Yup..... Anything can be reported. The bus stop one would be of quite a priority as no-one likes to get sprayed at a bus stop. Explain it has only happened since the resurfacing, and attach a pic if possible.

Interestingly, I wonder how many of the recent road flood problems are caused by the long-term reduced spending on maintenance, leading to ditches, grips and gullies becoming blocked.......
Just a thought, as the Environment Agency now seems to be willing to spend huge capital amounts on new drainage
schemes......