Residents in Frome are warning that local roads are becoming increasingly dangerous as potholes grow in number and size.
Over 100 residents have contacted the Frome Times with their concerns, with several people reporting damage to vehicles, and one child fracturing his arm after hitting a pothole while cycling.
Somerset Councillor Adam Boyden, for Frome North, said the region is facing a ‘pothole epidemic’ and urged residents to keep reporting them.
He said, “There are over 3,500 potholes in the system to be dealt with. Nearly 1,000 were reported last weekend. It is just getting worse, it is a bad time with the rain, it’s been cold. On Bath Road there is just a long line of potholes there. It is worth reporting them and not complaining on social media.”
A 10-year-old boy, James Yearsley, fractured his arm after hitting a pothole while riding his bike on Woodhayes Road in December.
His mum, who said the injury required surgery, said, “I reported this straight away to the Highways Department at Somerset Council as I was so worried someone else would get hurt. They have made a very shoddy repair to the hole which took about three weeks. I am still waiting for a response from their insurance team with regards to compensation.”
Dangerous size
Another resident said, “I have noticed the number of potholes in Frome has increased considerably. Not only are there plenty, but some are a dangerous size that have been left for too long. They pose risks to vehicles and I am concerned that the longer they are left, the more likely there will be an accident.”
Somerset Council said its highways teams have dealt with more than 5,000 defects in the past two weeks, including potholes, blocked drains and other issues following Storm Chandra. Teams are currently working to repair over 3,500 recent defects across the county.
A council spokesperson said, “This is typically a challenging time of year with wet, then freezing conditions. Recent rainfall and flooding are hampering conventional repairs.”
Leader of Somerset Council Cllr Bill Revans said extreme weather has caused 60 to 70% more potholes this year than in previous years. He added that the cost of repairing the extra potholes alone could reach around £1million before considering roads still underwater. He said, “We will continue to work hard to keep our residents safe and our roads in order, but this highlights the need for long-awaited reform to properly support rural counties like Somerset.”
“We would appreciate people’s patience on the network while teams try to deal with this damage.”
To report a pothole, visit https://www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/report-a-problem-on-the-road/
