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Posted on the 6th November 2024 in PHTM News
DERBY MOTORISTS HIT OUT AT WORSENING POTHOLE PROBLEM WHICH IS COSTING THEM MONEY
Derby residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the city’s deteriorating road conditions, which they say is costing them dearly.
Taxi drivers in particular are feeling the financial strain. Ian Wigley, a 36-year veteran of the trade, estimates that his repair costs have soared by 30% in the past two years due to the abundance of potholes.
“The roads aren’t good, our vehicles are tested every six months, so it puts the cost up and we’re spending a lot more on repairs,” he said.
Freedom of Information requests reveal a stark increase in pothole reports in recent years.
Over 1,093 potholes have been reported to Derby City Council since the start of 2024, compared to 1,172 in 2023 and 833 in 2022. The council has also paid out over £3,000 in the past year to settle pothole-related compensation claims.
While the council acknowledges the issue and has invested in road repairs, some residents remain unconvinced.
Martin Laycock, a lifelong Derby resident, believes that the current state of the roads is the worst he has ever seen. “The potholes coming into the city are terrible,” he said. “I had to get my suspension repaired twice last year and I suspect that the potholes are to blame.”
However, not everyone shares this view. Taxi driver Mo Imran believes that the roads he mainly uses are generally in good condition, although he states that some roads are really bad.
He is unhappy with the traffic congestion around the city’s flyover. “I've been a taxi driver for more than 10 years and I think that the traffic is the worst problem,” he said.
Derby City Council has received over £1.2 million in pothole funding from the Department for Transport.
The council plans to use this funding to improve the long-term condition of the roads, rather than just "aimlessly repairing potholes".
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