Man transforms potholes into tiny climbing scenes

County councillors in Nottinghamshire have faced an uphill battle trying to get on top of the area's pothole problems.

Now one fed-up resident in Newark has brought that idea to life by turning several potholes into tiny mountaineering scenes to highlight his frustration at the state of the town's roads.

Dave Fargher placed miniature climbers inside holes along some of Newark's busiest routes, including London Road, Great North Road and Northgate, and urged people to "stop, smile, and then realise that the joke only exists because the problem does".

Nottinghamshire County Council said all the potholes showcased in Farger's mini-dramas were being considered for repair.

Fargher said his artistic idea came from "frustration rather than novelty".

"Like many residents, I'd reported potholes properly and repeatedly through official channels, sending photographs, locations, and descriptions," he told the BBC.

"Yet months later, many of them were still there, often larger and more dangerous than before. It felt like the conversation had become invisible.

"People have seen countless images of damaged roads and angry locals pointing at holes, and eventually their brains just slide past them - it's a classic case of outrage fatigue.

"The miniature figures disrupt that pattern. The laughter draws people in, but it also carries an uncomfortable truth - these aren't isolated defects any more, they're features people plan their journeys around.

"I'm not expecting every road in Newark to be resurfaced overnight, and I don't think most residents are either.

"What people want and what feels entirely reasonable, is transparency, prioritisation, and fixes that actually last."

Last month, Reform UK Nottinghamshire County Council leader Mick Barton said the council needed a further £500m in funding to get the roads "to a standard people would expect".

Barton said emergency repairs were fixed within two hours and residents would see a "big change in the forthcoming months".

A county council spokesperson said: "Highway officers are currently working to prepare a three-year resurfacing programme.

"All of the sites highlighted by the messages will be considered for maintenance.

"Funding is prioritised and allocated across the whole county, based on need and relative road condition."

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