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Uttlesford Roads in 'Third World Condition'

February 20, 2009 11:56 PM
Cllr Alan Dean with former Clavering parish councillor Melody Carter at a deep and wide water-filled pothole at Ford End, Clavering on Sunday 15th February.

Cllr Alan Dean with former Clavering parish councillor Melody Carter at a deep and wide water-filled pothole at Ford End, Clavering on Sunday 15th February.

Residents in Uttlesford have given a thumbs-down to Essex County Council on the state of local roads. One resident of Clavering described some rural roads as no better than in the Third World.

Stansted councillor Alan Dean said: "Road maintenance has been neglected for too long. The recent frost, snow and heavy rain has only brought to the surface potholes that require quality repairs, not botched patching that lasts no time and is a waste of taxpayers' money. I am sending the results of the survey to Cllr Norman Hume, who has responsibility for local roads at the county council. The public deserves to know what actions they will take and when."

The opinions were collected from around 350 residents by Liberal Democrat councillors in the Stansted area. Three times as many people (72%) were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with Essex's maintenance policy of leaving potholes until they are 50mm deep as were satisfied (23%). Only one person in 200 was very satisfied.

Residents were asked the following question: Essex County Council has recently decided to leave potholes until they are 50 mm deep before repairing them. Previously potholes were repaired when they were 25 mm deep. Are you satisfied with local road maintenance?

The following is a selection of comments received during the survey:

· Footpaths at Bullfields, Newport not been repaired in 16 years except for 'disgusting' patches.

· Patching is a waste of time.

· Repairs keep failing because they are not correctly filled, sealed and rolled.

· New pavement laid outside Waterloo House, Newport - dip in tarmac causes large puddle or freezes over in cold weather; safety hazard.

· Wood End, Widdington has had potholes and no attention for years.

· Service road off Cambridge Road, Ugley has had potholes for 20 years over 50 mm deep.

· Carter's Lane, Henham has potholes and not been resurfaced in 48 years.

· Church Road, Stansted has rain-filled potholes; pedestrians get soaked, especially near Fullers House.

· We need better roads throughout our countryside; it's all potholes now.

· Many country roads have poor surfaces; dressing with stones and tar is no good; should be stopped and done properly.

· Church Road, Stansted has rain-filled potholes; pedestrians get soaked, especially near Fullers House.

· Roads are resurfaced and then dug up again; e.g. Pesterford Bridge, Stansted

· Croasdaile Road, Stansted ruts at kerbs, bad for pedestrians.

· Most pavements around Stansted are uneven, slippery and dangerous. I am constantly tripping, despite taking care.

· Potholes are a particular danger to cyclists at edges of country roads.

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