Hole in the middle of a road....

[The Saint]

My girlfriend reported this large hole, and getting larger by the day, to Portsmouth Council yesterday. It is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid when coming out of our driveway.

Anyone have experience of how long it will take to be resolved?

I'm guessing at 6 months minimum....

[tigerbear]

try 2 years mate
I reported a hole in the road to pompey council that damaged the underside of one of our ambulances (still not recieved payment from the council for the repair work)
but it took just over 2 years to get it sorted
typical portsmouth council

[JMGS4]

Go outside measure it and photograph it, then send them a solicitors letter saying that you will hold them laible for all damage to your (expensive, exotic sports-) cars, and they'll burn up the tarmac to get it done.....charge them for the solicitors letter, and your expenses/worry/damages!!!!!
Did this in Bristol in the early 70s and got it done within 24 hours, where I'd complained verbally for 3 years to get it done!!!!and they paid the fees...!!!!

[The Saint]

Oh yeah, I forgot, all available money is going to support the Spinnaker Tower!

[tonyout]

Once they have something in writing I believe they have a legal obligation to examine it/rectify if necessary within 24 hours otherwise they are liable if anyone gets injured.

If you happen to mention that you believe it may cause an accident, they seem to sit up and take notice. As soon as it's in writing they usually get their finger out as they know the score.

Round here we can report it via e-mail. I even have the nice man at the councils address in my frequent contacts list Check your councils website.

[The Saint]

Thanks for your help

[D-Angle]

I'm sure they're looking into it...

sorry, couldn't resist

[kevinday]

Alternatively - Think yourself lucky it is only one hole. Here the holes grow until they meet another, then you can lose a whole car in them. Several years later they will be fixed.

[streaky]

kevinday said:

Alternatively - Think yourself lucky it is only one hole. Here the holes grow until they meet another, then you can lose a whole car in them. Several years later they will be fixed.

SAVE OUR HOLES!

If the holes grow to meet one another, then they become one hole again. Whilst many holes might be deserving of the Council's attention, one is not.

This country is losing too many holes. If you see a hole that is about to grow into another, call the "SALVATION HOLEY" on 0800 HOLES-R-US.

PLEASE SAVE A HOLE FROM EXTINCTION!



Streaky

[The Saint]

Well, a contractor has already been out and said hole now has a sprayed white circle around it - what does this mean?

[flooritforever]

The Saint said:

Well, a contractor has already been out and said hole now has a sprayed white circle around it - what does this mean?

It means the contractor has had a look, and said 'yup, it's a hole alright.' He then sprayed the white circle around it to make sure everyone knows it's there, and to make sure that, when somebody actually comes to repair it, it is that particular hole that is filled and not just any hole!

[The Saint]

So it doesn't mean it will get repaired any quicker than the 2 years indicated by someone else?

[tonyout]

I think it will get fixed pretty quickly now, as if someone comes off a bike and gets paralysed, they are liable. Will only be a crappy tar patch though I bet.

[The Saint]

All repaired - i'm impressed!

As pointed out though it is a crappy tar patch :-)

[crhudson]

Hi,

I was driving to work this morning and drove over this huge hole. I'm not sure what damage was done but there was an almighty bang. I think the car bottomed out. IF there is any damage then who should I try to get damages from? The local council or the highways agency or something and how should I go about it?

For your info the hole is on a road called Common Hill(going towards Bradfield) off the A340 near to the A4 in Reading. Just thought I'd mention it as I see lots of TVR's etc every day using that road and It didn't seem to do my S3 much good.

[tonyout]

The Saint said:

All repaired - i'm impressed! As pointed out though it is a crappy tar patch :-)

Legally, they have covered their ass..... Crappy tar is all you will get ;-)

As long as you make sure they have something in writing, you too can have your holes filled....

An e-mail cc'd to yourself is always a nice way of getting their attention.