Potholed road like a war zone, say residents

7 hours ago

John Devinein March

News image — Claire Dean said it was too dangerous for her son to bike 400 metres to see his grandparents because the state of the road made it "impassable"

John Devine/BBC Claire Dean has shoulder length blonde hair parted in the middle, she is wearing a woollen beige and black scarf over a black puffer coat. Behind her is a single track road with some buildings visible and grass verges on either sidet with some trees growing. — Claire Dean said it was too dangerous for her son to bike 400 metres to see his grandparents because the state of the road made it "impassable"

People in a Cambridgeshire town said they wanted to see "permanent repairs" on their road covered in rain-filled potholes as it was "not fit for purpose".

Flaggrass Hill Road is on the north side of March and is home to businesses and residential properties.

Denise Pearce runs a bed and breakfast there and said she was "embarrassed" as the road resembled a "war zone".

Cambridgeshire County Council said repair works were due to start shortly and were expected to be completed by the end of next week.

John Devine/BBC A view along a pothole-filled road with lots of standing water, no lines on the road or street lights. Some buildings and vehicles can be seen parked off the road on either side. There is a reflection of a telegraph pole in the main puddle in the foreground. The appears to be some sort of shipping container or lock-up on the left-hand side of the road. — Residents said drainage was insufficient on Flaggrass Hill Road and home owners have erected warning signs for drivers, along with fencing to try to preserve verges

Claire Dean has lived in the area for more than 30 years and said the road had got worse and worse. She cares for her parents and visits Flaggrass Hill Road on a daily basis.

"It's like driving through a lake," she said.

"I can be sitting with my mum having a cup of tea and you do see quite a bit of traffic, not just agricultural machinery.

"If people don't know what is under all the water they can damage their vehicles, and they do."

John Devine/BBC Denise Pearce has shoulder length blonde hair, parted in the middle. She is wearing a white woollen jumper with blue and black diamond patterns on it.
Behind her is a single track road with some buildings visible and a grass verge on the left and right with some trees growing. — Denise Pearce runs a B&B along the road and said she had to warn potential guests about the unkempt surface

Denise Pearce has lived on Flaggrass Hill Road for 13 years and has run a B&B for 10.

"I get negative reviews for my business, purely because of the street. I reckon there must be 20 potholes and what looks like a lake at the top of our road near Creek Fen," she said.

Pearce said the road was an "absolute mess" and she had to message new arrivals to tell them to drive at "one mile per hour" to avoid unwanted car damage.

She added that highways workmen had been out to fill the potholes but repairs "didn't last long".

John Devine/BBC Emma Watts has sandy/brownish hair just down to her shoulders, she is wearing a light purple coat over a blue shirt with a collar, she is sitting in the driving seat of her car with a seat belt on. — Emma Watts said she was fed up about having to wear wellington boots just to put her rubbish bins out

Emma Watts lives on Flaggrass Hill Road and said the surface was deteriorating every year.

"Our properties are being ruined, our cars are being ruined. I have been in touch with the council, but nothing is done," she said.

Watts said the winter rain was certainly making the situation worse.

"It is lovely down here in the summer, but at the moment with the mud, the water and the potholes it's depressing," she added.

Watts said the road was used more than people might imagine - and when Elm Road was shut, traffic used it as a diversion.

A council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the deterioration of both Flaggrass Hill and Creek Fen Road in March. At this time of year, the cold and wet weather causes road surfaces to break down more quickly.

"Repair works are due to start shortly and are expected to be completed by the end of next week.

"Residents can help us keep our roads and paths safe by reporting the issues they find via our website."