Third World Class Roads

[idlejohn]

Then roads in Huddersfield have always had a reputation for being in bad repair but this years winter has exposed this fact even more.

All those roads that were a patchwork quilt of ‘repairs’ are the ones that are the worst as the water has got into the badly sealed joints and the frost then opens them up.

I do sometimes wonder why KMC employ people to go out with a load of tarmac, throw it into the pothole (don’t bother cleaning it out first), hit it with a shovel and drive off. If that is classed as a ‘repair’ then KMC does not share the same definition of that word as myself.

No bonding agent prior to filling and no edge sealing when completed just means that the hole reappears within days and so the exercise (like so many things the council do) is pointless.

I hear a lot of fine words from council (and those wishing to get their snouts in there too) about ‘infrastructure’ and grandiose plans for unwanted bus lanes, hotels, houses in strange locations (Folly Hall) but when are the long suffering motorists of Huddersfield going to see some real road maintenance and decent road surfaces for a change?

Leave all your grandiose plans for the time being gentlemen and concentrate on the basics for once and give people who want to come to, drive in and live in Huddersfield a chance to do so without having their vehicles wrecked by the third world roads we have at present.

[Otis]

Should have put this reply in here.

The state of the main roads is truly appalling. The main Wakefield road at Aspley has Pot holes which have been there since the cold spell opened them up. I think they should make it a four lane Bus lane, thus at a stroke solving the car damage problems and achieving the councils ultimate solution to all traffic problems.

[JohnMooney4]

I was just on my way home tonight and I had the same thought "when did we become a third world country?".

Our roads are the worse I have seen in 30 years of driving.

How did it come to this? Some of those holes are dangerous.

The cost of proper repair (not the usual useless bodge) must be colossal, due entirely to years of neglect and under-budgeting.

How are we ever going to afford it?

[holly]

Excuse me if am wrong but isnt this why we pay road tax Mine alone is £125 per year. If it isnt to maintain the roads then what on earth is it for and why is it called road tax

[idlejohn]

We started the slide into third world status when the our councilors lost sight of what they are there for and embarked on costly pet schemes in preference to keeping the areas infrastructure in good repair.

Huddersfield roads have always been poor but not dangerous as they are now and blaming the winter will no longer wash as all the winter did was to expose the poor repair status that was already there just waiting to be exposed.

When our councilors have finished playing silly beggars with unwanted bus lanes, pink Chinese granite and not forgetting the black granite urinal and weeping flagstones, perhaps they could divert their dubious talents into giving us some decent road surfaces and this time don't employ Fixit, BodgeIt & Scarper to do the job.

[Dismayed_of_Dalton]

Just been on Kirklees web site to report some potholes

https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/you-kmc/kmc-formsindex/reportit/locality.asp?type=road

as you put in the details now it brings up previous reports wonder if these will be good enough as evidence if you wanted to pursue a claim for damages?

[despondent]

As I walked to Town I noticed the terrible condition of Milford Street, but looking closer there was the durable pattern of the original setts standing proud as they have for generations, there are many roads where setts are now showing, would it be wiser to dispose of tarmac entirely where such a sound base is evident then consentrate on more recently laid thoroughfares with no such base for the tarmac surfacing. Not only would the setts enhance the retro look but it could, possibly, go towards slowing traffic as 'micro' road humps

[idlejohn]

They knew how to build roads when the setts were put down unlike the Bodgeit, Patchit & Scarper crews the council employ these days. Even the slabs in Railway Street are rising up in protest!

[holly]

Setts Does this mean cobbles

[idlejohn]

That it does!

[holly]

Thanks John, we live and learn eh. And, if we dont ask, we dont find out. Holly.

[StephB]

Thanks John, we live and learn eh. And, if we dont ask, we dont find out. Holly.

Have you ever been to Richmond, in Swaledale? The Market Square there is a prime example of cobbling. Spherical stones set in concrete.
Setts are square stones looking rather like an old hard-stone wall which was laid horizontally, with the square stones 'Sett' together, virtually seamlessly. They were the traditional hard-wearing road finish wherever heavy wagons [then horse-drawn of course] were common in this part of the world. [They didn't need cement or concrete, either!] Here, Setts. Elsewhere other than Yorkshire/Lancashire mill towns in my experience, Round cobble-stones [to break your ankle on if you're not careful!] Just being helpful. I am a mine of largely useless information...

[Otis]

Are you talking cobblers again StephB? It's past your bedtime, now take your clogs off and up those stairs you go.

[StephB]

:D Are you talking cobblers again StephB? It's past your bedtime, now take your clogs off and up those stairs you go.

At least I'm not sleeping in the cellar Otis....! [How's the good lady?]

[Otis]

She's recovering from a small op at the moment. I've been promoted, I think , I'm now officially head cook, bottle washer, laundry maid and night nurse and I am learning to drive a Vac. Good job I've got fully comprehensive insurance though, I keep bumping into stuff with it. I'm under strict supervision with the washing machine, not sure how long that apprenticeship lasts.

I keep sending her get well soon cards, anonymously of course.