Fix our funds to fix our roads

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  Roads, Roads, Roads

  by AlanM, almost 5 years ago
  Many roads in use today were conceived and built by the Romans, and for some of these roads, it may well be that an Italian in armour and Bronze Galeae was the last person to work on them.

  
  Take Ludborough Road in North Thoresby. Go on, take it. It’s rubbish and it’s not long had some work completed on it! Ludborough Road is one of 3 roads into the village, 2 of which are direct from the busy A16.
  
  

  It is a Road that has problems. Severe problems. I no longer have a 4x4 and when I traverse it’s length... Continue reading

  Many roads in use today were conceived and built by the Romans, and for some of these roads, it may well be that an Italian in armour and Bronze Galeae was the last person to work on them.

  
  Take Ludborough Road in North Thoresby. Go on, take it. It’s rubbish and it’s not long had some work completed on it! Ludborough Road is one of 3 roads into the village, 2 of which are direct from the busy A16.
  
  

  It is a Road that has problems. Severe problems. I no longer have a 4x4 and when I traverse it’s length - which I have to do regularly - I really wish I still did. The very poor state of the road does give rise to several in-car games we play and yes, most of them are the opposite of join the dots. It’s more ‘avoid the dots and drive around them’ which even were I in a tiny Smart car would be a challenge. There’s that many of them and some of them are deeper than a fairly deep thing.

  
  A Roman soldier-surveyor, standing in this road with his groma in his hand (look it up), would scratch his head in sadness and disbelief, wondering just how we let it get into such a bad state of repair.
  
  It is full of holes, is generally uneven along its whole length, is patched (and even some of the patches have been patched) and considering the village has about 1,000 souls; has lots of use by all sorts of vehicles over a day, even in these altered times.
  
  

  The Roman soldier would maybe consider that here was a track suitable for having a Roman Road built over it - the fact that money has been spent at some point to try to repair it may come as a surprise to him, we’re there a surprised ‘Thoresbian’ on hand able to explain things to him.

  I’m sure that those who have worked on it recently have done their best and I thank them for their service. But the road is poorly maintained and in the village there are others unfortunately in the same state. You can tell where the repairs have been made, but many of them (nice black squares of smooth travel) abutt holes of equal size and depth of the patched neighbour.

  
  The roads in the area need help, but then there are lots of things that need help in and around Lincolnshire. In and around the UK. Things have to be prioritised in this ever changing world and in some ways village roads might not immediately spring to mind.
  
  Yet roads connect us in many ways, physically by joining us to neighbouring settlements, and emotionally as they are conduits to meet fellow villagers whilst out walking and even in these odd times, chatting to a neighbour whilst out for a constitutional provides human contact and helps create a sense of community.

  
  The Romans knew that to operate an empire they had to have dependable lines of communication; they had to be connected. Across Europe they had to send messages for a variety of reasons in by a variety of methods. So they built and maintained their roads, some of which are still, in some ways; being used today. (And as an interesting aside, the width of modern day trains owe their size to these roads and Italian builders.)

  Poor roads damage vehicles and annoy locals. They interrupt and reduce connections between people. They impact upon how a community views their surroundings and can affect civic pride.

  
  The Roman Soldier-surveyor would want to get digging and repairing Ludborough Road and it would take him quite a while, given his impressive but limited set of tools.

  
  We are lucky, our technology is far more advanced and faster, it’s just a shame that the resulting Road doesn’t seem to last as long…

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
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  Dangerous Potholes in Grantham

  by Smurf44, almost 5 years ago
  

  5 January 2022.

  This is one of two deep potholes under the railway bridge in Dysart Road, Grantham. The photo was taken yesterday, 4 January 2022. Here, broken wires for the traffic lights sensors can clearly be seen, which is dangerous for all road users at this extremely busy junction close to where Dysart Road crosses Sankt Augustin Way. If the lights on both Dysart Road and Sankt Augustin Way fail due to damaged sensor wires, it will cause chaos at this junction. This pot hole and the adjacent one also under the bridge on the west-bound carriageway (going out... Continue reading

  5 January 2022.

  This is one of two deep potholes under the railway bridge in Dysart Road, Grantham. The photo was taken yesterday, 4 January 2022. Here, broken wires for the traffic lights sensors can clearly be seen, which is dangerous for all road users at this extremely busy junction close to where Dysart Road crosses Sankt Augustin Way. If the lights on both Dysart Road and Sankt Augustin Way fail due to damaged sensor wires, it will cause chaos at this junction. This pot hole and the adjacent one also under the bridge on the west-bound carriageway (going out of town) have been getting progressively deeper for many weeks and need URGENT attention. Both potholes are several inches deep and could easily burst a car tyre or cause severe damage to a cyclist and his bike. Please repair ASAP.

  There are literally dozens, maybe hundreds, of similarly deep potholes in Grantham, which all need urgent attention. Maybe someone in authority could visit Grantham to see what dangerous road conditions we have to put up with every day?
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  Roads

  by SittingDuck, almost 5 years ago
  I wish that I could say something positive about our roads…..this is a WISH. I am unable to say anything positive.

  Repairs appear to be be poor quality patches….patches upon patches.

  outside this country roads are so much better.

  The current UK Government should be ashamed of the state of our roads, I am.
  The question is “why are the roads in such a poor state?”.

  The answer, in my view, is that the current Govermental administration in England is more focused of giving away MY MONEY to countries outside the UK than in using this money to look after... Continue reading

  I wish that I could say something positive about our roads…..this is a WISH. I am unable to say anything positive.

  Repairs appear to be be poor quality patches….patches upon patches.

  outside this country roads are so much better.

  The current UK Government should be ashamed of the state of our roads, I am.
  The question is “why are the roads in such a poor state?”.

  The answer, in my view, is that the current Govermental administration in England is more focused of giving away MY MONEY to countries outside the UK than in using this money to look after England.

  The current administration is letting the population of England down.

  
  

  
  
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  Outer Circle Drive, Lincoln

  by JDJ, almost 5 years ago
  The majority of this busy road is in disgraceful condition. The noise from HGVs using it, as they rattle along, is terrible. It often floods in places and renders a Pedestrian Refuge unusable.

  The "improvements" made, particularly on the Wragby Road junction were a complete waste of money and inconvenience.

  The statement from your Highways Dept that the situation is being monitored is totally unsatisfactory.

  The road surface on some parts of the Ermine East estate was repaired even though it was in far better condition than OCD.

  It seems to me, and many other Council Tax and Road Tax... Continue reading

  The majority of this busy road is in disgraceful condition. The noise from HGVs using it, as they rattle along, is terrible. It often floods in places and renders a Pedestrian Refuge unusable.

  The "improvements" made, particularly on the Wragby Road junction were a complete waste of money and inconvenience.

  The statement from your Highways Dept that the situation is being monitored is totally unsatisfactory.

  The road surface on some parts of the Ermine East estate was repaired even though it was in far better condition than OCD.

  It seems to me, and many other Council Tax and Road Tax payers that money is being wasted on schemes such as the Riseholme Road/A46 roundabout (which appears to have been a pointless exercise as it has made little difference)

  The other gripe from many motorists is the lack of right-turn filters, particularly from Nettleham Road into Outer Circle Drive and Nettleham Road into the Nettleham Fields shopping centre.

  Traffic is still occasionally at almost a standstill along OCD because of the very short time that the traffic lights are on green at the Wragby Road junction.
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  E-scooter rider killed by pothole

  by peter, almost 5 years ago
  • In Spain, on 14June, an e-scooter rider (Marcos Blaso, 53) was found dying in the road after he hit a pothole on a quiet lane. His family are suing the local authority for not maintaining the roads in a condition suitable for the small wheels and high speed (at least 25km/hr) of e-scooters. Indeed, in the UK, a coroner found that the very first e-scooter death in the UK (Emily Hartridge, 35) was caused when she “lost control after passing over an inspector hatch in the cycle lane and was thrown under the path of an HGV”. Of... Continue reading

  • In Spain, on 14June, an e-scooter rider (Marcos Blaso, 53) was found dying in the road after he hit a pothole on a quiet lane. His family are suing the local authority for not maintaining the roads in a condition suitable for the small wheels and high speed (at least 25km/hr) of e-scooters. Indeed, in the UK, a coroner found that the very first e-scooter death in the UK (Emily Hartridge, 35) was caused when she “lost control after passing over an inspector hatch in the cycle lane and was thrown under the path of an HGV”. Of more concern is that at least 9 e-scooter riders have died in England and Wales this year, many simply losing control. Indeed, between 8June and 5August, 7 riders were killed at a rate of one very 8 weeks - a "summer of death". Next summer will be far worse.
  • When talking potholes, we usually think of cars. But, bicycles are also endangered by potholes, ruts, broken surfaces, drains, loose chippings, debris, and other depressed surfaces within the 1m adjacent to the kerb/verge (as well as cycle paths and lanes). Fortunately, the large wheels and relatively low speed of bicycles limit the danger. Many road cyclists can avoid the gutter and ride safely at speeds approaching car speeds in urban areas. However, the Gov/DfT intend to legalise private e-scooters, probably in 2023. On that day, in excess of 1/2million unregulated e-scooters will legally "hit" our streets and shared paths. The DfT has not sought to specify a minimum wheel size, or indeed minimum age (e-bikes can be ridden at age 14). Neither does the DfT require their high speed stability to be evaluated above 20km/hr, despite permitting rental e-scooters to cruise at 25km/hr (15.5mph). Moreover, the DfT only requires an e-scooter to be able to mount a 3cm kerb! In addition, e-scooters limited to 15mph will not have the option of keeping up with vehicular traffic on roads. Hence, it is already evident that illegal e-scooters are choosing to use the pavement as they feel safer, regardless of the danger they pose to pedestrians. Hence, as if potholes on the road endangering cars is costly enough enough, all the above factors will require the LCC to maintain roads, cycle lanes and cycle paths suitable for e-scooters. Hence, I suggest the LCC should seek additional funding from the Gov (DfT) starting in FY2022/3 to prepare for the extra cost caused by the Gov’s intended legalisation of private e-scooters.
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  Drains

  by bullrush2000, almost 5 years ago
  Most highway drains are only being cleaned once per year around April in the village. They should actually be done Oct/Nov after autumn-leaf-fall and most farm-harvest-debris was dumped on the carriageway. This would improve road (and pedestrian) safety during the wet and freezing winter weather. Further for highway safety a minimum of both these 6-monthly cleaning cycles should be done yearly because rural comunities have high farm/field vehicle activity dropping above average debris onto the roads, especially going to the processing plants (ie Staple, Leggates, etc.).

  
  

  Why is the April clean made in ignorance of the actual need?

  
  

  Note, some... Continue reading

  Most highway drains are only being cleaned once per year around April in the village. They should actually be done Oct/Nov after autumn-leaf-fall and most farm-harvest-debris was dumped on the carriageway. This would improve road (and pedestrian) safety during the wet and freezing winter weather. Further for highway safety a minimum of both these 6-monthly cleaning cycles should be done yearly because rural comunities have high farm/field vehicle activity dropping above average debris onto the roads, especially going to the processing plants (ie Staple, Leggates, etc.).

  
  

  Why is the April clean made in ignorance of the actual need?

  
  

  Note, some drains in key positions havn't been touched for several years because of an atypical design or buried by farm debris and unseen. After reports on FixMyStreet 4 months later and LCC-Highways still "investigating", rediculous. Investigating drainage in dry weather is beyond a joke.

  Rural transport business hubs are using "light use roads" that are not designed for the articulated lorry(s) weight, stressing and breaking up the road structure. Compounded by hydraulic errosion from tyre and ponding surface water because gully drains are blocked.

  Why aren't "cleaners" using a map to verify all gully drains are done?

  
  

  Where are the in-house LCC cleaning services? putting "work out to tender" shouldn't be an option, in-house equipment has cost saving benefits when predictable work repeats yearly, and no profit levy for private company, plus no artificial delay by contract negotiation to actually doing the work. Taxpayers' funds should not be squandered by such inexcusable mismanagement.

  Finally, ponding roadway water and sludge from blocked drains gets sprayed onto the pedestrian footway, a hazzard in itself, which then freezes during winter and spring months. Another failure by LCC to comply with Parliamentary legislation obligations.

  
  

  Local roads in question - A52, Common Road, Tooley Lane, Gowt Bank.

  More than a dozen gully drains remain blocked 4+ months after notification on FixMyStreet.

  
  
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  Stephen Holland, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire

  by Stephen Holland, almost 5 years ago
  

  Over the last 4years I have been forwarding potholes requiring repair that have been noted to me by local residents in Mablethorpe, Trusthorpe and Sutton-On-Sea. These have exceeded over 200 potholes and road surfaces that needed repair/replacing. Most have been done but not all at one time (Were numerous potholes have been forwarded up to 15, only four done) some are still outstanding or have been re-reported. This shows the dangerous contours of this road and still 3 others on same road. Not repaired after 6 years of arguing with Lincoln Highways.

  Over the last 4years I have been forwarding potholes requiring repair that have been noted to me by local residents in Mablethorpe, Trusthorpe and Sutton-On-Sea. These have exceeded over 200 potholes and road surfaces that needed repair/replacing. Most have been done but not all at one time (Were numerous potholes have been forwarded up to 15, only four done) some are still outstanding or have been re-reported. This shows the dangerous contours of this road and still 3 others on same road. Not repaired after 6 years of arguing with Lincoln Highways.
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  Rachel.Martel

  by Rachel.Martel, almost 5 years ago
  I have had two cars damaged by potholes. On my last car a suspension spring broke and had to be replaced and on my current car a deep pothole buckled and alloy wheel, which had to be replaced at a cost of £400.

  This particular incident happened in winter on a country A road. It had been raining, so visibility was poor and I was not driving particularly fast, but when I hit the pothole, there were two loud bangs and the steering was jolted so much that the car was flung onto the opposite carriageway. Luckily there was nothing... Continue reading

  I have had two cars damaged by potholes. On my last car a suspension spring broke and had to be replaced and on my current car a deep pothole buckled and alloy wheel, which had to be replaced at a cost of £400.

  This particular incident happened in winter on a country A road. It had been raining, so visibility was poor and I was not driving particularly fast, but when I hit the pothole, there were two loud bangs and the steering was jolted so much that the car was flung onto the opposite carriageway. Luckily there was nothing coming the other way. I thought I had hit a boulder and went back to take photos.
  the pothole had been reported several times before and had already damaged another car - that driver was compensated. I was not.
  The whole road was a mass of potholes. It has since been patched.
  Now I do not drive on rural roads at night or in bad weather, as it so hard to dodge the potholes. They cause a great deal of expensive damage to cars, not to mention the possibility of serious or fatal accidents.
  Drivers in Lincolnshire have to look at the traffic ahead, the traffic from the sides ad the road surface, is it any wonder we have so many road traffic accidents?
  I am sick and tired of paying taxes and Road Tax for it not to be spent on our local area. Everything is focussed on London and the South East, yet the Government keeps banging on about 'Levelling Up'. They can start by levelling up our roads!
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  Urgent Funding to Fix our Roads Needed

  by AndyH , almost 5 years ago

  We have been asking for our road to be resurfaced for years but keep being told by the Council they don’t have enough funds. We live in a very rural area in the fens and our road is atrocious with potholes, subsidence and uneven surfaces. As soon as any potholes are filled the weather erodes the repairs again or the heavy agricultural traffic just churns the roads up.
  Our cars have suffered damage not just from pot holes but from debris flying up in the wet weather damaging paintwork. The uneven surface has even bottomed one of our vehicles beyond... Continue reading

  We have been asking for our road to be resurfaced for years but keep being told by the Council they don’t have enough funds. We live in a very rural area in the fens and our road is atrocious with potholes, subsidence and uneven surfaces. As soon as any potholes are filled the weather erodes the repairs again or the heavy agricultural traffic just churns the roads up.
  Our cars have suffered damage not just from pot holes but from debris flying up in the wet weather damaging paintwork. The uneven surface has even bottomed one of our vehicles beyond repair.
  Just because we are rural we shouldn’t suffer with significant cuts on funding levels. The ‘county shires’ always lose out and it’s time central government departments focused on their voters who DO NOT live in London or major conurbations. Time to level up as you promised years ago!
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  Bad roads can kill. !!

  by John.Fell, almost 5 years ago

  Although we are the 2nd largest county we suffer from a lack of a good public transport system unlike the south who can jump on a bus ,train or tram at leisure .We need our own forms of transport for work ,social journeys hence , potholed and poorly maintained roads are very dangerous places for us in rural lincolnshire .

  Cyclists, motorcyclists, motorists , pedestrians ,emergency services and utilities all suffer whether physically or monetary due to poorly maintained highways.

  Although we are the 2nd largest county we suffer from a lack of a good public transport system unlike the south who can jump on a bus ,train or tram at leisure .We need our own forms of transport for work ,social journeys hence , potholed and poorly maintained roads are very dangerous places for us in rural lincolnshire .

  Cyclists, motorcyclists, motorists , pedestrians ,emergency services and utilities all suffer whether physically or monetary due to poorly maintained highways.