6:50pm Thursday 11th March 2010
By Jeremy Grimaldi
WORKMEN have done such a patchy job repairing one road’s potholes that gaps have returned within a matter of weeks, according to residents.
Neighbours of Kingswood Avenue, in Park North, say the road – which has suffered from ‘countless holes’ over the past year – is becoming worse by the minute as it is a thoroughfare for the number 17 bus route.
Residents say that Swindon’s Commercial Services have worked on the road three times in a couple of months but have failed to do the work properly.
Nicola Connelly, 34, who has lived in the road for more than eight years, said the last time the workers showed up outside her home they spent 30 minutes working on numerous potholes before moving on.
She said: “The potholes on this street have been very bad for the past year, but they became worse after the snow melted. When the workmen did show-up it appeared they just threw the asphalt it in the hole and left.
“They have missed lots of holes, the section in front of us, with all the exposed holes, for example, was done two days ago.
“It appears they simply put it in, whacked it a few times and disappeared to the next location.
“I have saw them using a roller, but have not seen any sort of machinery or a steam roller used.”
Last month the Adver published a survey which said Swindon Council was ranked the 62nd worst in the country for fixing potholes.
In a list of 212 local authorities, it was claimed the council only filled in 26 per cent of the total number of potholes reported, although the council claimed it had repaired 65 per cent of them.
It was also reported that it would cost in excess of £1m to fix all of the road surfaces affected by snow and ice.
Yvette Bennett, 49, who has lived in the road for three years, said: “Over the last year the holes have become worse.
“I think it is largely due to both the weather and the fact that a bus travels this road every 10 minutes.
“If they are breaking apart this soon after repairs, I think the workmen should come back and do it again.”
The council was unavailable for comment.
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