Man plants flowers in potholes to highlight issue

A man has been filling potholes with soil and flowers to highlight the state of roads in his town.

Jon Nunn, 45, who has lived in Corby, Northamptonshire, for 25 years, said he had never seen so many potholes in the area and they regularly caused damage to his business vehicles.

He has had thousands of views on TikTok and said: "The reaction I've had from people is amazing. The people of Corby deserve better."

North Northamptonshire Council "strongly advises against" people filling in potholes themselves.

The local authority said it was "extremely dangerous", adding: "[We are] working as hard as possible to bring roads up to standard."

"I decided to make the local authority aware of the massive potholes and decided to plant some flowers in them," Nunn said.

"I probably fill in two or three a day and try to do around 20 a week.

"I'm doing it myself, on my own, but I wouldn't recommend anyone does it. I don't want other people to put their life at risk to fill these potholes."

He said the holes were often repaired by the council within days of him planting the flowers.

North Northamptonshire Council said: "We are aware of the local concerns around potholes in Corby and Kettering and we are working as hard as possible to bring roads up to standard.

"We have seen an unprecedented increase in potholes, and our highways teams have been responding to far higher numbers than usual, prioritising the most severe and safety-critical issues first.

"We ask people not to attempt anything dangerous that would put themselves at risk.

"Working on the road without the correct training, traffic management or safety equipment is extremely dangerous.

"Filling potholes with the incorrect materials can also create further hazards and may delay proper repairs."

It urged people instead to report potholes through the council's website.

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