Concerns over poor condition of roads in and around Boston
CONCERNS about the poor condition of roads around Boston have been raised by a couple currently staying in the area.
Alan Wood, and his wife Eileen, moved to Spain several years ago but have been house-sitting for friends in the Wyberton area since last April.
In that time, Mr Wood claims the couple's Mercedes car has suffered two front suspension problems as a result of potholes in the road and is shocked by the condition of local roads compared to those on the continent.
He believes the first spring was broken as a result of potholes on Millfield Lane East back in September.
Hurry Up!!! Special £5 Voucher for Nepalese and Indian Takeaway
View details
We are providing £5 voucher for all online registered customer. Register online at www.everestxpress.co.uk
or visit our Takeaway with a copy of this voucher. Call us on 01522541930 for more details
Terms: Visit our website for full T & C.
Contact: 01522541930
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
Mr Wood said: "Eileen noticed the tyre was wearing badly on the nearside front. I had a look and found the first of the coil springs was broken.
"Within the last few weeks we have again had to pay out £350 in parts.
"Wherever you go the rural roads in and around Boston are in a very poor state of repair.
"At night you don't know where they (the potholes) are and you shouldn't have to look where they are, the roads have not been kept to a good standard."
"On two occasions that car has been left in a condition which could have caused a fatal accident."
The couple are due to return to Spain next month and say that despite bad snow and rain there, roads in the country are well kept.
Although there is a toll system on some continental roads which helps fund repairs, Mr Wood says not enough road tax fund in this country is being put into maintenance.
He plans to write to Newark MP, Patrick Mercer, where the couple still have a registered UK address.
Mr Wood, whose Spanish home is in a mountainous area, said: "It's not acceptable the roads here are in this condition.
"It concerns me having put that sort of money into road fund tax, they have sat back and expect us to repair our vehicles.
"Nowhere when you drive from Calais to home do you find potholes.
"There is a toll system but that's only on the major routes which go towards the roads."
Paul Coathup, assistant director of highways and transportation at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "It's always tempting to try to draw comparisons with other countries like this but there are so many factors to consider that it's difficult to give a sensible answer.
"We could look at; the weather conditions, the foundations beneath the road, the number of road users, the amount of investment in road maintenance – and these are just a few of the variables that would affect quality of the road surface.
"It's important to remember that potholes are a problem that affects the whole country.
"Here in Lincolnshire, we already invest millions of pounds maintaining the county's road network and over the next two years we will be increasing that amount considerably.
"I'm confident that motorists will see a noticeable improvement in our roads as a result of this additional investment."
Comments