Pot holes need fixing, urges Deputy Leader

Reporter: Laura Wild
Date online: 21 July 2010

Pot holes was once again a topic that caused debate at Rochdale Council’s full council meeting.

Seven months since the severe weather which is blamed for many for the town’s pot holes it seems work is still not being carried out.

The Deputy Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Ashley Dearnley spoke of his concern, he told the council he had asked on numerous occasions "who is monitoring the contractors filling the holes?" He has still had no clear reply, he said.

Councillor Dearnley expressed worries that some pot holes have had chalked outlines put around them not once, not twice but three times yet the hole still haven’t been filled.

He said: “To fill in some of the pot holes and not others is worse than not doing them at all.”

Councillor Dearnley also discussed the issue witnessed by many in the borough throughout the weather of damaged or empty grit bins.

It was agreed in a review held at the start of 2010 that all the grit bins would be taken away and be repaired of replenished ready for the coming winter.

Councillor Dearnley said: “It is nearly the end of July and the bins haven’t gone in yet. My worry is the Christmas lights will go up before the grit bins go out!”

Councillor Ann Metcalfe has voiced concerns on both matters in the past, she said: “We don’t need to consider anything we just need to get something actually done.”