Anger over number of potholes and other road defects causing 'hazards' in community

Potholes, broken street lights, trip hazards and missing bollards are just some of the issues motorists and pedestrians are facing in North Baddesley.

Residents in the area have told of their anger as issues reported more than six months ago have still not been fixed or made safe.

However, Hampshire County Council (HCC) bosses have claimed that they are "aware of the issues" and "repairs have been ordered".

On Middle Road there are three large potholes that were reported to the council back in November. So far, traffic cones have been put in place to stop cars from driving through them.

A pothole on Middle Road was reported in November. Traffic cones have been put in place to stop cars from driving through it.

On Rownhams Lane there is a missing bollard at a school crossing that is creating a "trip hazard", which was reported six months ago.

At the junction with Rownhams Lane and Botley Road there are a number of defects that resident have said make the area "unsafe".

There is a damaged sign at the pedestrian crossing that was reported more than six months ago, and rusty traffic lights that residents fear could "break in high winds".

A damaged sign sticking out of the path at Rownhams Lane and Botley Road.

As well as this, there is the bottom part of a sign left sticking out of the pavement that has been described as a "sharp and a trip hazard". This was reported six months ago.

The street lights at the junction also have not worked for "nearly two years".

On Firgrove Road, a pothole was repaired just over five weeks ago.

A pothole on Firgroove Road that was repaired five weeks ago in now starting to crumble and another hole is forming.

However, it is now crumbling and another hole is appearing.

One resident, who has asked not to be identified, said: "I was expecting HCC would be getting on with some of the work on the highways during lockdown when road are quiet but it seems like they stopped all the work, the list of defects is long.

"Some of the issues have been outstanding for more then six months.

If they do get round to to any work, it is often delivered to a poor standard and it does require more work few weeks down the line."

Rust traffic lights at junction with Rownhams Lane and Botley Road.

Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council, said: “I can confirm that we are aware of the issues raised and repairs have been ordered.

"I am assured that inspections of the damaged post and bollard have been re-arranged as both had been temporarily made safe. In respect of the recently repaired pothole, it is possible that the recent spells of very wet and cold weather could have caused this to prematurely fail and our highways engineers will investigate this.

“It’s a challenge dealing with the damage to Hampshire’s 5,500 miles of road, largely caused by prolonged periods of very wet weather.

“The position is compounded by years of underfunding for highways maintenance by successive governments, which has led to a significant decline in the condition of the local road network despite us trying to plug the funding gap from local resources with an extra £10 million each year for our Operation Resilience programme.

“I believe we do a good job with the funding we have, the money only goes so far however, and wet weather and flooding adds significantly to the damage and deterioration of the roads."