Anyone who uses Howey Lane in Frodsham will have noticed the spiralling decline of the road surface. Back in 2015 it was the odd pothole here and there with the usual wear and tear around the speed bumps: this is an occupational hazard caused by breaking and accelerating to navigate the speed management measures
But over the past 2 years things have been deteriorating and fast. Lynn and I report potholes as they arise as do many local people, but the odd repair just did not keep pace and whole lengths of the road surface have now broken down. In an attempt to get the attention this key road needs, the issue has been raised at main council meetings which really isn’t the place for operational service requests but is the last resort for councillors.
With extra pothole money (£0.5m) announced by Government for CWAC only last month, I had yet another attempt to raise Howey Lane as a case for some urgent attention last Thursday. The answer is unbelievable
Question 9
From Councillor Andrew Dawson to Karen Shore, Cabinet Member for Environment
I raised the state of Howey Lane, Frodsham at the December 2017 Council meeting. Since then, and in spite of what can best be called an inadequate attempt at repair and maintenance Howey Lane is further deteriorating. There are multiple pot holes, large stretches where the base course of the road is exposed and profound problems with drainage generally and in particular surface water run off. The traffic calming speed bumps and cushions are themselves deteriorating and causing significant additional damage to the road.
When will Cllr Shore sort this out and ensure that this strategic road is fit for use?
Answer 9
Unfortunately winter weather has a massive impact on the condition of our roads, with a sharp rise in the number of potholes forming on the Borough’s road network at this time of year. Repairs are normally carried out with hot materials in average temperatures, but during cold winter weather, temporary repairs are made to keep the network serviceable and safe for road users, which may not always be aesthetically pleasing. The location of each temporary repair is accurately logged, so a permanent repair can be included in an appropriate programme of works later in the year.
Based on the survey data we currently hold, Howey Lane has not been identified by our asset management software as requiring full resurfacing. However, its condition will be reviewed in the coming weeks and the appropriate permanent repairs will be made in financial year 2018/19.
Now this failure to recognise the issue would be bad enough if it was just a further example of Labour councillors not being on top of the job or their departments. However this is a serious health and safety issue. CWaC has already had to withdraw a 'tweet' showing a highways inspector measuring a pothole and saying it wasn't deep enough at 50mm to justify a repair.
Lynn and I are continuing to press the council to face reality and get on top of highways maintenance. You may remember, just a few years ago our Borough's roads were in excellent shape and considered to be amongst the best maintained roads in the country. Three years of Labour failures has led to the present appalling situation.
And before anyone shouts 'cuts' - just remember CWaC has an unallocated £6m surplus at the moment and that it is intending to increase the size of its reserves in the next financial year as well. What we are seeing is the consequence of a political choice not to fund or prioritise highways maintenance and at a time when there is money available.