Roads around the borough are blighted by dangerous potholes, according to a driver whose vehicle was damaged during a journey through Borehamwood.
Sales manager Peter Hayes hit a hole in Brook Road in January, and has spoken out after being informed by Hertfordshire Highways that it will not pay for repairs to his car.
Last week he received a letter from the authority, which is responsible for the upkeep of the county's roads, explaining that it was not liable for the damages because there had been no complaints about the hole prior to his accident on January 19.
A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Highways said roads are inspected every three months for "hazards or defects" and advised people to report problems as soon as they discover them.
Mr Hayes, 26, of Organ Hall Road, has spent around £165 repairing the damage to a wheel rim on his Vauxhall Astra.
He said: "I was on my way back from work and coming round the chicanes on Brook Road. There was a big bang and a jolt.
"When I looked the wheel rim was dented. I was lucky I did not skid on the road or lose control. There are a lot of potholes around, particularly in Borehamwood."
Borehamwood North county councillor John Metcalfe, who sits on the authority's highways and transport panel, said: "We have had lots of complaints about potholes.
"In some parts the roads are in pretty shocking condition. If there's anything that's dangerous residents must get on to Herts High-ways and it will do a temporary repair within 24 hours."
Last month, a car driven in Bricket Wood, near Watford, suffered an estimated £1,000 of damage after it hit a four foot-long, seven inch-deep hole.
The Hertfordshire Highways spokeswoman added: "Brook Road was inspected on November 7, 2007. At that time no hazards or defects were recorded.
Road defects can be reported by calling 01438 737 320 or at hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults
How bad is the condition of Hertsmere's roads? Has your car been damaged in Brook Road?
Leave your comments below.
8:12am Friday 16th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: neil, Ruislip on 8:50am Fri 16 May 08
The government manages to spend alot of cash, and yes (before you critics start on me) the money is being spent in our roads. And isn't it so nice to see our precious tax money goin on making our roads less safe and look more patchy each time around.
I like cars, I like to modify cars, but whats the point wen the roads could break your back, take your exhaust off (lovely speed bumps - which don't take into consideration that not all of us have off-roaders). The amount of times my tracking would go out. So let me get this right; we pay to have our roads maintained, and then we pay for the repair bills because our roads are rubbish. Ive been all over the world, and love going to other countries for the roads, hire a nice car, and enjoy.
Proper roads; safer for the driver and pedestrian (pot holes affect braking distance and steering direction, but surely the road safety ministers know that right?).
So, whats up then? Why are the roads so rubbish? Why should I invest thousands in a car to have the roads destroy it. Money is being spent on the roads, theres always road works, so why is the finished road a mess, all that happens is we get a brand new patch on our roads, which after a day and plenty of traffic becomes a pot hole. Its pathetic.
If we had quality roads would people drive quicker? or would they be more relaxed and enjoy driving?
The government manages to spend alot of cash, and yes (before you critics start on me) the money is being spent in our roads. And isn't it so nice to see our precious tax money goin on making our roads less safe and look more patchy each time around.
I like cars, I like to modify cars, but whats the point wen the roads could break your back, take your exhaust off (lovely speed bumps - which don't take into consideration that not all of us have off-roaders). The amount of times my tracking would go out. So let me get this right; we pay to have our roads maintained, and then we pay for the repair bills because our roads are rubbish. Ive been all over the world, and love going to other countries for the roads, hire a nice car, and enjoy.
Proper roads; safer for the driver and pedestrian (pot holes affect braking distance and steering direction, but surely the road safety ministers know that right?).
So, whats up then? Why are the roads so rubbish? Why should I invest thousands in a car to have the roads destroy it. Money is being spent on the roads, theres always road works, so why is the finished road a mess, all that happens is we get a brand new patch on our roads, which after a day and plenty of traffic becomes a pot hole. Its pathetic.
If we had quality roads would people drive quicker? or would they be more relaxed and enjoy driving?
Posted by: Jack, Borehamwood on 9:54am Fri 16 May 08
The roads are a disgrace. Too much tax being taken and wasted on less important things, such as stocking a fishing lake for prisoners.
Anyway, who are hertfordshire highways kidding if they think that hole was not there three months ago.
I think their "inspections" leave a hell of a lot to be desired.
The roads are a disgrace. Too much tax being taken and wasted on less important things, such as stocking a fishing lake for prisoners.
Anyway, who are hertfordshire highways kidding if they think that hole was not there three months ago.
I think their "inspections" leave a hell of a lot to be desired.
Posted by: vicar on 10:40am Fri 16 May 08
They've given us the number on which to report faults. If we all reported five faults a day they would no longer be able to hide behind the excuse that they were not aware of a problem.
They are responsible for the appalling state of our roads, no-one else, and it is obvious from the article that a three-monthly inspection is inadequate. I recently revisited Borehamwood which had been my home for many years and had forgotten how bad the roads were compared to other areas. They seem to be abdicating their responsibility. Why am I not surprised?
They've given us the number on which to report faults. If we all reported five faults a day they would no longer be able to hide behind the excuse that they were not aware of a problem.
They are responsible for the appalling state of our roads, no-one else, and it is obvious from the article that a three-monthly inspection is inadequate. I recently revisited Borehamwood which had been my home for many years and had forgotten how bad the roads were compared to other areas. They seem to be abdicating their responsibility. Why am I not surprised?
Posted by: karen, borehamwood on 11:11am Fri 16 May 08
Lets get this right we check our roads every three months, nov 07. now the next time it should have been checked would have been lets see feb 08, but this was reported jan 08, pot hole still there, yes it is. repaired not its not date paper has reported this may 08, that is four months later. By the by I reported the pavement outside my house last year that there was a big hole 3 foot buy 9inches, yes they came that afternoon and temp repaired it and was told it will be put right within two months, now lets see 7 months later its going back to its origanl state. YES 7 months later, may be they live in a different year planner, instead of 12 months in a year there is only 4 months, O well lets wait and see what the lags need next, riffel traing, bomb making lessons.
Lets get this right we check our roads every three months, nov 07. now the next time it should have been checked would have been lets see feb 08, but this was reported jan 08, pot hole still there, yes it is. repaired not its not date paper has reported this may 08, that is four months later. By the by I reported the pavement outside my house last year that there was a big hole 3 foot buy 9inches, yes they came that afternoon and temp repaired it and was told it will be put right within two months, now lets see 7 months later its going back to its origanl state. YES 7 months later, may be they live in a different year planner, instead of 12 months in a year there is only 4 months, O well lets wait and see what the lags need next, riffel traing, bomb making lessons.
Posted by: John Williams, Borehamwood on 1:30pm Fri 16 May 08
The roads have been a disgrace for some time. Even when a "temporary" repair is done, it is soon back to the way it was. This in itself is a false economy.
I suggest the inspections are [bold]not[/bold] done on a regular basis. The road leading to Letchmore Heath from Elstree Hill (Aldenham Road ?) has been dreadful for over 3 years and in parts is dangerous. Anyway, why does there need to be a recorded problem if they are regularly inspected ?
Does the inspector not have eyes ?
I am also seeing people move closer to the middle of the road when avoiding these potholes and sunken grids. How long will it be before we have to resort to legal means to get it sorted out. I suggest it will be when there is a major accident caused by the Council's sloppy work.
The roads have been a disgrace for some time. Even when a "temporary" repair is done, it is soon back to the way it was. This in itself is a false economy.
I suggest the inspections are
not done on a regular basis. The road leading to Letchmore Heath from Elstree Hill (Aldenham Road ?) has been dreadful for over 3 years and in parts is dangerous. Anyway, why does there need to be a recorded problem if they are regularly inspected ?
Does the inspector not have eyes ?
I am also seeing people move closer to the middle of the road when avoiding these potholes and sunken grids. How long will it be before we have to resort to legal means to get it sorted out. I suggest it will be when there is a major accident caused by the Council's sloppy work.
Posted by: Pope Benedict on 1:33pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]karen[/bold] wrote:
Lets get this right we check our roads every three months, nov 07. now the next time it should have been checked would have been lets see feb 08, but this was reported jan 08, pot hole still there, yes it is. repaired not its not date paper has reported this may 08, that is four months later. By the by I reported the pavement outside my house last year that there was a big hole 3 foot buy 9inches, yes they came that afternoon and temp repaired it and was told it will be put right within two months, now lets see 7 months later its going back to its origanl state. YES 7 months later, may be they live in a different year planner, instead of 12 months in a year there is only 4 months, O well lets wait and see what the lags need next, riffel traing, bomb making lessons.[/quote] Good Lord? Are the people responsible for road repairs also the ones who deal with literacy?
karen wrote:
Lets get this right we check our roads every three months, nov 07. now the next time it should have been checked would have been lets see feb 08, but this was reported jan 08, pot hole still there, yes it is. repaired not its not date paper has reported this may 08, that is four months later. By the by I reported the pavement outside my house last year that there was a big hole 3 foot buy 9inches, yes they came that afternoon and temp repaired it and was told it will be put right within two months, now lets see 7 months later its going back to its origanl state. YES 7 months later, may be they live in a different year planner, instead of 12 months in a year there is only 4 months, O well lets wait and see what the lags need next, riffel traing, bomb making lessons.
Good Lord? Are the people responsible for road repairs also the ones who deal with literacy?
Posted by: karen, borehamwood on 2:39pm Fri 16 May 08
Sorry Pope Benedict, about the literacy, but if you had the guts to leave your real name maybe I would take some notice of you, but alas, I also make mistakes like any normal human being, you must be the one perfect person in this world. We are talking about pot holes not literacy. Shame you only see mistakes and not the pot holes.
Sorry Pope Benedict, about the literacy, but if you had the guts to leave your real name maybe I would take some notice of you, but alas, I also make mistakes like any normal human being, you must be the one perfect person in this world. We are talking about pot holes not literacy. Shame you only see mistakes and not the pot holes.
Posted by: Louise, Borehamwood on 3:45pm Fri 16 May 08
Bullhead Road is covered in dangerous pot holes that are causing damage to many people's car's. Last week the highway repairs - filled in ONE hole and left the rest - the rest being around a foot away from the one they filled!
Bullhead Road is covered in dangerous pot holes that are causing damage to many people's car's. Last week the highway repairs - filled in ONE hole and left the rest - the rest being around a foot away from the one they filled!
Posted by: Rosalee, Borehamwood on 10:13pm Fri 16 May 08
One evening in March, I travelled with two friends from Theobald Street to the Reel cinema. We stopped in Brook Street to deposit a reflective cone in front of the HUGE pothole which they had both hit in their respective cars earlier in the day! I was so impressed that they had taken the trouble to ensure other drivers would see the wheel-sized hole in the dark.
Two days later the pothole was filled! Maybe the road workers had also seen the cone!
One evening in March, I travelled with two friends from Theobald Street to the Reel cinema. We stopped in Brook Street to deposit a reflective cone in front of the HUGE pothole which they had both hit in their respective cars earlier in the day! I was so impressed that they had taken the trouble to ensure other drivers would see the wheel-sized hole in the dark.
Two days later the pothole was filled! Maybe the road workers had also seen the cone!
Posted by: Frank Malins, Ridge on 9:11pm Sat 17 May 08
Recently a TV company were filming at Rabley. The large lorries using our country lanes have created deep, dangerous ruts and pot holes which could prove hazardous.
Recently a TV company were filming at Rabley. The large lorries using our country lanes have created deep, dangerous ruts and pot holes which could prove hazardous.
Posted by: mizpah on 10:01pm Sun 18 May 08
Check out the damage caused in Packhorse Lane by the lorries belonging to the film crew who were recetly working at Rabley Park.
Check out the damage caused in Packhorse Lane by the lorries belonging to the film crew who were recetly working at Rabley Park.
Posted by: anon on 11:10am Tue 20 May 08
I have travelled to alot of Countris and many third world countries have better roads than us and bigger vehicls than us, so i dont think the problem lies with the large vehicles, just the shoddy workmanship displayed by the workers! maybe if everyone stopped complaining here safly behind your computers and started a petition, wrote to your mp etc you might be able to make a difference?
I have travelled to alot of Countris and many third world countries have better roads than us and bigger vehicls than us, so i dont think the problem lies with the large vehicles, just the shoddy workmanship displayed by the workers! maybe if everyone stopped complaining here safly behind your computers and started a petition, wrote to your mp etc you might be able to make a difference?
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