CommanderChuff
Devout Dirtbag
This morning I had the pleasure of a gang of workmen repairing two potholes in the road outside. This was part of a long campaign to keep my cycling roads well maintained and free of potholes.
Did you know that holes were caused by people taking a lump of clay out of the road (before tarmac) to make a pot? And that cycling clubs campaigned for and got tarmac top dressing in 1864 (long before cars came into our everyday life)?
There is a 'process and system' by which your favourite roads can be made safe.
1. The legislation which governs the roads is the Highways Act 1980 (amended 1986). This places a statuary duty of care onto designated authorities to build and maintain roads, Highways England for motorways and truck routes, Country Council for main A and B roads, District Councils for in town.
2. The duty of care includes the safety of ALL users of the highway and roads. The authority is obliged to repair any defect which is notified to it.
3. I regularly report potholes and other defects on the CTC tool http://www.fillthathole.org.uk and also on the Warwickshire highways website. In my area small potholes are repaired in 1-3 months and larger defect in 9 months. There was a culvert which was collapsing and riding on the road was like a bucking bronco. This was repaired in 4 months to my great relief.
4. The important bit of the report (apart from making it in the first place) is to include something like 'as a result of this pothole (or any other defect) there is a significant risk that a two wheeled vehicle will become de-stablised and the rider thrown to the ground or into the path of oncoming traffic and incurring serious injuries or death'. This plays to the government s aim to reduce the number of road casualties.
5. In the last year I have managed to help to get my 60 mile Eroica training route completely repaired or resurfaced, and my rides are much more pleasurable as a result. Previously I tackled two 25 mile commuting routes. By taking responsibility for my own cycling habit I have made my rides saver and faster.
Please give it a go, you have nothing to lose and much to gain.
Did you know that holes were caused by people taking a lump of clay out of the road (before tarmac) to make a pot? And that cycling clubs campaigned for and got tarmac top dressing in 1864 (long before cars came into our everyday life)?
There is a 'process and system' by which your favourite roads can be made safe.
1. The legislation which governs the roads is the Highways Act 1980 (amended 1986). This places a statuary duty of care onto designated authorities to build and maintain roads, Highways England for motorways and truck routes, Country Council for main A and B roads, District Councils for in town.
2. The duty of care includes the safety of ALL users of the highway and roads. The authority is obliged to repair any defect which is notified to it.
3. I regularly report potholes and other defects on the CTC tool http://www.fillthathole.org.uk and also on the Warwickshire highways website. In my area small potholes are repaired in 1-3 months and larger defect in 9 months. There was a culvert which was collapsing and riding on the road was like a bucking bronco. This was repaired in 4 months to my great relief.
4. The important bit of the report (apart from making it in the first place) is to include something like 'as a result of this pothole (or any other defect) there is a significant risk that a two wheeled vehicle will become de-stablised and the rider thrown to the ground or into the path of oncoming traffic and incurring serious injuries or death'. This plays to the government s aim to reduce the number of road casualties.
5. In the last year I have managed to help to get my 60 mile Eroica training route completely repaired or resurfaced, and my rides are much more pleasurable as a result. Previously I tackled two 25 mile commuting routes. By taking responsibility for my own cycling habit I have made my rides saver and faster.
Please give it a go, you have nothing to lose and much to gain.
