They called it 'Operation Resilience' and it was supposed to use our taxes to fix our roads and potholes for several years ahead by making repairs 'more permanent'. But is Hampshire County Council's scheme working or was this just all a PR 'soundbite'?
There is a standing joke when I'm dealing with helping people ride cycles, in that the potholes are put there to help improve bike handling skills. Certainly they require agility in swerving, bunny hopping, and in the worst cases the ability to fall off without causing much harm to yourself - don't flail arms out!
But are these skills becoming more necessary, and are Hampshire fixing the roads as they claim?
A pothole or broken road surface can cause damage to all vehicles and can have potentially lethal effects on someone on two wheels, throwing them off their machine and possibly under the wheels of other traffic. But is this very real threat to life taken seriously?
Which brings me to a particular local Whitchurch example – the Evingar road pothole.
There is an area towards the top of Evingar Road that has been reported several times – and several times it has been 'fixed'. Repeatedly the repair has broken up and further remedial work has been required.
However the latest incident takes the biscuit. The pothole was again reported and HCC rightly acknowledged it required fixing, then said works had been undertaken – but... had they?
See for yourself.
ONE – 22nd February 2015
This potentially lethal pothole and road surface was reported to HCC, with an exact location, and the the number of the house of which it was outside being provided.
TWO – 23rd February 2015
HCC acknowledged receipt.
Enquiry Reference: 21143592
Enquiry Type: Carriageway Pothole Defect
Location: EVINGAR ROAD
"We will assess your enquiry as soon as possible. We receive around 70,000 enquiries each year which we prioritise according to the nature of the issue."
"In most cases our staff will need to visit the site to make an assessment, which we aim to complete within two weeks, subject to availability."
__________
THREE – 3rd March 2015
HCC acknowledging a problem existed.
"The enquiry you raised has been inspected and does require action."
__________
FOUR – 5th March 2015
It would seem very good news. HCC say they have fixed it.
"Our contractor has made safe or repaired the reported problem."
__________
FIVE – 11th March 2015
I passed by the site of the safe/repaired pothole:
And you can compare it to the first picture. Err...
MORAL
Operation Resilience?
You certainly need to be resilient when dealing with HCC.
Don't believe them when they say they have fixed something and continue to practice those bike handling skills.
We need to lobby HCC and our representatives at County level to ensure our roads are kept fit for purpose and safe for all, whatever mode of transport is used, motor or human powered.
