Herefordshire homeowner fed up with state of a road

Ronnie Wilkie says he is fed up with the state of a C-road between Kinnersley and Almeley, saying that it's been going on for too long. 

"It's a disaster," he said.

"I used to run Ascot Racecourse and know about road surfaces. But council tax has gone up again and I am fed up with it.

RELATED NEWS:

• Pothole capital of England: Hereford handed dubious honour

• 'Despair and desperation' as Herefordshire villagers 'ripped off' 

• We'll leave Herefordshire if these potholes aren't fixed!

"As a local resident, I am happy to go to jail and refused to pay my council tax.

"I shall also give a bottle of champagne to the residents of a road in Herefordshire which may be found to be in a worse state than ours."

The 78-year-old said that the road has been repaired five times in the past year, the most recent after he went to Sir Bill Wiggin's office to discuss the issue. 

"Some people came and squirted stones in some of the holes but it soon washed out so we're back to where we are," said Mr Wilkie.

Some of the potholes on the Kinnersley to Almeley road (Image: Rob Davies)

"The tractors are trying to dodge the potholes but end up putting mud in the road. 

"They are being foolish with public money. It's being wasted when all it needs is a permanent fix."

Herefordshire Council say that 133,000 square metres of C and U roads in the county have been improved as part of the Department for Transport’s £2.558m additional investment for highways.

Cllr Barry Durkin, Cabinet Member for roads and regulatory services, said: “Feedback we receive as a Local Authority shows that the condition of our roads is a huge priority for local residents and organisations.

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

"Back in November. we announced this additional package of investment to our local C and U roads to improve connectivity and links between our rural communities. We are pleased to announce that we have delivered on this promise by carrying out these works – equivalent to 15 football pitches.

“Patching repairs, followed by surface dressing of the selected roads, at an appropriate time in the life cycle of the road, is considered the most cost effective use of this funding. It prevents further deterioration of roads before more extensive and more expensive repairs are needed, and can extend the life of the road surface by up to ten years."

The council has not responded about the state of the Kinnersley to Almeley road.