LETTER: Root cause of the potholes

The article rightly highlights one root cause as being utility companies etc not properly reinstating roads after they are dug up but in many cases – especially on rural roads – the root cause is blocked drains/culverts/ditches.

There are many examples of these blockages turning roads into virtual rivers in wet weather resulting in water damage/erosion to the road surface and substructure.

From first-hand experience WSCC’s maintenance of its infrastructure is inadequate, but having said this many ditches and watercourses are the responsibility of landowners but I am not aware of WSCC taking action to ensure these responsibilities are met – seemingly it is easier to chuck some tarmac in a pothole rather than maintain their own drainage systems or pursue landowners.

This is, of course, false economy as the damage to roads very soon reappears as the root cause remains – yes WSCC should pursue utility companies but also put their own house in order and pursue landowners

Food for thought I think.

Ian Campbell, Kirdford