Roads iin a poor state
I have found that the state of roads in Britain are in such a poor state that only a bike with 2inch thick tyres is any good. Typically you will find trenches poorly backfilled that are either too high or too low, the usual potholes and cracks, drain and manhole covers that are much higher or lower that the surrounding tarmac and often there are great holes and crevices around these man and drain holes exposing metal edges which are lethal for cyclists.
It is time that some of the vast billions raised from fuel duty, VAT and vehicle tax was put int keeping Britains road network up to a reasonable standard.
It is time that some of the vast billions raised from fuel duty, VAT and vehicle tax was put int keeping Britains road network up to a reasonable standard.
0
Comments
-
The actual person to blame for the state of the roads is Margaret (there is no such thing as society) Thatcher.
It was her first government of 1980 that reduced the amount paid to local authorities for county road maintenance. Ever since then the constant rise in Council Tax/Community Charge at such an alarming rate, (for one eyed, black lesbians; single mothers'; immigrant family etc.) that to keep the roads in decent condition it would raise the level of tax to such an extent people would rebel, refuse to pay, vote for a change of government and undermine the fabric of our society.
Therefore rather than cut back on those expenditures in parenthesis above, the cut backs are in road maintenance.
As another well known poster claims: I blame Thatcher!I say what I like and I like what I say!0 -
By all means blame Thatcher but this:
is a bit much, and very much Daily Mail / Torygraph type scapegoating. You could have mentioned many other services that have enjoyed huge increeases in expenditure over recent years., (for one eyed, black lesbians; single mothers'; immigrant family etc.)
But I agree with the general sentiment, we get what we pay for, and whilst good quality roads are a great aspiration, other issues may have priority in budget setting, and maybe with good reason. A lot of people want everything but resent every tax they pay - can't have it both ways.0 -
Laurent7 wrote:I have found that the state of roads in Britain are in such a poor state that only a bike with 2inch thick tyres is any good. Typically you will find trenches poorly backfilled that are either too high or too low, the usual potholes and cracks, drain and manhole covers that are much higher or lower that the surrounding tarmac and often there are great holes and crevices around these man and drain holes exposing metal edges which are lethal for cyclists.
It is time that some of the vast billions raised from fuel duty, VAT and vehicle tax was put int keeping Britains road network up to a reasonable standard.
If you report them to http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/ you may be pleasantly surprised by the response. I have used it twice and got results within a few weeks. As the site says:Councils can’t be everywhere, and if they don’t know about a pothole, they can’t fill it in. So if you want to get it repaired, you have to report it.0 -
Agree with the above. I reported a number of potholes on one road, I wasn't expecting them to resurface the entire road :shock:0
-
I'm going to give that link a try! I will keep you updated with the results.0
-
Don't expect quick results though.0
-
girofan wrote: The actual person to blame for the state of the roads is Margaret (there is no such thing as society) Thatcher.
It was her first government of 1980 that reduced the amount paid to local authorities for county road maintenance. … As another well known poster claims: I blame Thatcher!
Presumably subsequent Governments have carried on in the same manner. Leaving things to market forces perhaps means you end up riding a MTB instead of seeing the roads well-maintained enough for skinny tyres. The free market solution is to sell you a 4x4.0 -
Presumably subsequent Governments have carried on in the same manner
Yes, because . . .
Ever since then the constant rise in Council Tax/Community Charge at such an alarming rate, (for one eyed, black lesbians; single mothers'; immigrant family etc.) that to keep the roads in decent condition it would raise the level of tax to such an extent people would rebel, refuse to pay, vote for a change of government and undermine the fabric of our society.
as mentioned above. You just have to read it really
:-)0 -
I emailed out local council's 'street scene' email and a rather large pot hole was wixed within a week, although the rest of the road is awful....
I ride 23mm tyres now, until recently always had 20mm but they are far too harsh, the 23mm smooth it out a bit.0 -
Too much money spent on road humps, speed cameras, layer upon layer of government, Quangos, officous jobsworths and the idle masses!
With the money we motorists pay into government coffers each year, we should have a superb travel network, well maintained and room for all modes of travel.
Funny how it seems that, for the benefit of any rabid socialists around here , that the past decade of Teflon Tony and Blundering Brown hasn't reversed these horrible spending cuts inflicted by that awful Tory Government 25 years ago! Remember that you are an Englishman and thus have won first prize in the lottery of life.0 -
The product of improving our road network will be more vehicles on the road - to invest in roads is indeed the road to ruin!0
-
we have the best road in Europe. don't ever let it be said that we have bad roads because its just not true.0
-
I complained about a section of road near me 2 years ago. Even then it was the worst section of road I was riding, uncomfortable on 2.1 knobblies. Its still the worst section I know of. A length of road a few hundred yards long thats been resurfaced 10 years ago, its breaking up leaving 1" wide cracks, large potholes, debris within the junctions to side roads. the response I got included:
"the top part of Addison Road and the full length of Dale Hill Road is affected by mining works.
Streetpride can not carry out permanent repairs on roads affected by mining works until The Coal Authority give the approval. We have, on The Coal Authorities behalf, carried out a number of small and large temporary repairs with some of these repairs being damaged again by new mining works.
Streetpride is in constant contact with The Coal Authority and pushing to get an early decision from them to allow permanent repairs to be carried out.
We will continue to ensure that the highway is kept in a safe condition within the stated specification."
It patently wasn't safe 2 years ago, no temporary repairs have been carried out in the meantime.
I'd ahve thought they could have just carried out the work and any further repairs, just bill them to the coal authority!
I complained 2 years ago. A couple of months ago I used the CTC holefiller link. Took a few weeks, but the response came back:
"I have place a carriageway surfacing scheme on my forward programme with a view to have it completed by March 2008, subject to funding. The section of Dale Hill Road between Amorys Holt Way and Crossley Close is to be designed. I can not confirm that the scheme will be built in 2007/2008 due to some works which may have to be carried out to remove flooding damage. It will remain on the forward programme and therefore be part of the programming discussion in early November 2007."
In other words, I'll make a note but nothings in concrete (sorry )
They didn't respond when I asked if it was just resurfacing or repair, considering that round here they've carried out some resurfacing work which essentially makes the road a uniform colour. This means its harder to spot the problem areas which haven't been repaired!0 -
girofan wrote: The actual person to blame for the state of the roads is Margaret (there is no such thing as society) Thatcher.
It was her first government of 1980 that reduced the amount paid to local authorities for county road maintenance. Ever since then the constant rise in Council Tax/Community Charge at such an alarming rate, (for one eyed, black lesbians; single mothers'; immigrant family etc.) that to keep the roads in decent condition it would raise the level of tax to such an extent people would rebel, refuse to pay, vote for a change of government and undermine the fabric of our society.
Therefore rather than cut back on those expenditures in parenthesis above, the cut backs are in road maintenance.
As another well known poster claims: I blame Thatcher!
Do you have any figures to back this up? i think you'd find that the amount spent on minority groups pales compared to the money spent on the NHS, education and, dare i say it, Iraq/Afganistan (the whole misguided 'war on terror' for that matter). Its all to easy to pick on these people and blame them for all society's ills but it just isn't right or fair IMO. i for one am proud to live in a country whch is about as tolerant as they come and even if some may take advantage of the system then i think it's a price worth paying.
Rant over.
ps - i agree with point about people wanting better stuff then bitching about having to pay for itpm0 -
portuguese mike wrote:girofan wrote: The actual person to blame for the state of the roads is Margaret (there is no such thing as society) Thatcher.
It was her first government of 1980 that reduced the amount paid to local authorities for county road maintenance. Ever since then the constant rise in Council Tax/Community Charge at such an alarming rate, (for one eyed, black lesbians; single mothers'; immigrant family etc.) that to keep the roads in decent condition it would raise the level of tax to such an extent people would rebel, refuse to pay, vote for a change of government and undermine the fabric of our society.
Therefore rather than cut back on those expenditures in parenthesis above, the cut backs are in road maintenance.
As another well known poster claims: I blame Thatcher!
Do you have any figures to back this up? i think you'd find that the amount spent on minority groups pales compared to the money spent on the NHS, education and, dare i say it, Iraq/Afganistan (the whole misguided 'war on terror' for that matter). Its all to easy to pick on these people and blame them for all society's ills but it just isn't right or fair IMO. i for one am proud to live in a country whch is about as tolerant as they come and even if some may take advantage of the system then i think it's a price worth paying.
Rant over.
ps - i agree with point about people wanting better stuff then bitching about having to pay for it
I agree entirely, same old scapegoats!0 -
I have pain!0
-
I blame the weather 0
-
monsterx wrote:we have the best road in Europe. don't ever let it be said that we have bad roads because its just not true.
Mate I am simply speechless. The roads around me are appalling, there are better roads in South Africa than here. When I rode the Etape we were warned that the roads in the Pyrrenees weren't as good as in the Alps and we should take due care - they were a hell of a lot better than the roads in Surrey!0 -
I don't think we have the best roads - France has billiard-table flat roads.
I think our roads, especially in urban areas, take a real pounding by HGV's, it is no wonder they deteriorate so fast.0 -
Best roads in Europe? Here? Nope, sorry!
Maybe this view derives from the old Tory habit of telling people "you've never had it so good" and then expecting them, dutifully, to believe it. Both Hitler and Thatcher declared in their time "say it often enough and they'll believe you."
On that basis, we keep hearing from our politicians (and the current lot are just Tories with pink ties, by the way) that:
Britain is leading the way on recycling (Germany?), education (Denmark?), entrepreneurism (China?), international relations (don't make me laugh!)
So yes, we have the best roads in the world, and the best record on public health, the finest weather of anywhere on the planet, the best wine, the most spectacular skiiing facilities, the most extensive network of tropical coral reefs, some of the finest hot springs anywhere, a leading place in the history of lunar landings, the lowest tax rates of any developed country, and the most skilfull and successful sports teams in history.
Oh, and the reason we have won the Tour more often than all other nations put together is quite simply because of the quality of our roads and our progressive attitudes to cycling.
Sorry, I seem to have gone off on one: I'll get my coat! :evil:
:oops: 0 -
That's the answer then, a good Communist Government will right all our wrongs!pneumatic wrote:Maybe this view derives from the old Tory habit of telling people "you've never had it so good" and then expecting them, dutifully, to believe it.
Perhaps "The Feartie from Fife" may care to rethink this extra £6billion a year he's going to hand over to the cess-pit of corruption and spend it on repairing our roads?
As for the usual twaddle about "If we build/improve more roads, we'll only get more traffic" How about if we builld/improve more hospitals, we'll only get more sick people"?
If we had fewer craters in the roads, then more people might be tempted to cycle and not to buy a fat-tyred 4wd to avoid damage to their suspension and backs as they bounce along?Remember that you are an Englishman and thus have won first prize in the lottery of life.0 -
OffTheBackAdam wrote:As for the usual twaddle about "If we build/improve more roads, we'll only get more traffic" How about if we builld/improve more hospitals, we'll only get more sick people"?
Genius! You really thought that through!
One very very minor quibble with your point is that people aspire to drive, they do not aspire to be sick!0 -
I saw the headline and thought it was a thread about roads in Rwanda or Albania or some other state which is poorWant to know the Spen666 behind the posts?
Then read MY BLOG @ http://www.pebennett.com
Twittering @spen_6660 -
OffTheBackAdam wrote:
That's the answer then, a good Communist Government will right all our wrongs!pneumatic wrote:Maybe this view derives from the old Tory habit of telling people "you've never had it so good" and then expecting them, dutifully, to believe it.
My mum was always convinced that, because I found fault with the Tories' attitude to society, I must be a communist. Once I gave the local party fundraiser a bit of a hard time on one of his "pastoral visits", and after that: "He's a pinko, you know!" she would say to her suburban friends.
Actually, I don't do party politics. Why would anyone agree to subscribe blindly to a whole package of dogma and sleaze, and accept the possibility of a reprimand for stepping out of line? You're better off subscribing to individual principles and then weighing up which of the shower of self-serving hypocrites is most likely to pretend to agree with some of them.0 -
Politicians self-servicing? hypocritical? Blimey, you'll be telling us next that they're mendacious next!pneumatic wrote:weighing up which of the shower of self-serving hypocrites is most likely to pretend to agree with some of them.Remember that you are an Englishman and thus have won first prize in the lottery of life.0 -
Laurent7 wrote:I have found that the state of roads in Britain are in such a poor state that only a bike with 2inch thick tyres is any good. Typically you will find trenches poorly backfilled that are either too high or too low, the usual potholes and cracks, drain and manhole covers that are much higher or lower that the surrounding tarmac and often there are great holes and crevices around these man and drain holes exposing metal edges which are lethal for cyclists.
It is time that some of the vast billions raised from fuel duty, VAT and vehicle tax was put int keeping Britains road network up to a reasonable standard.
I blame subcontracting. Around where I live, the jobs simply haven't been finished to any standard. Instead of rolling patches flat and sealing the edges, they have just been flattened with one of those hand held machines that bounces, and left at that.
Within 12 months, they are all breaking up again because eachcar tyre that hits them starts boucing. And for those 12 months, you need suspension forks to cycle over them anyway.
I'm sure that they got paid to fix the holes properly, not to stand around comparing intellects.
As a cyclist, you experience the very worst of Britain. That's it. I'm leaving.0 -
Always Tyred wrote:Laurent7 wrote:I blame subcontracting. Around where I live, the jobs simply haven't been finished to any standard. Instead of rolling patches flat and sealing the edges, they have just been flattened with one of those hand held machines that bounces, and left at that.
A bouncy machine :shock:
Its just the back of a spade round here.
They dug up and completely rebuilt a stretch of road near me and did a good job of it but they did the wrong stretch. A few hundread meters before the road is full of bomb craters.
The worst thing is when they make a really nice smooth road and then paint a cycle lane along it because they seem to paint half a meter in this lumpy green paint then go back a bit and start painting another half a meter. It leaves these lumps every half meter.0 -
richardjallen wrote:Always Tyred wrote:Laurent7 wrote:The worst thing is when they make a really nice smooth road and then paint a cycle lane along it because they seem to paint half a meter in this lumpy green paint then go back a bit and start painting another half a meter. It leaves these lumps every half meter.
If you'd said "red" I'd have thought you'd been on Sheffields new inner relief road. I'd only ridden it twice before deciding to generally ignore the cycle lanes.0 -
I blame cyclists for not paying any road tax.0
