Council pledges to return and fix failed pothole repairs on major road in Sleaford
A badly potholed key route into Sleaford is to get urgent attention after emergency repairs carried out in wet weather failed to improve the situation
Lincolnshire County Council says crews are back on site this week on Grantham Road after residents and the Sleaford Standard raised concerns that pothole repairs carried out before and during wet weather last week proved ineffective.
Much of the material was immediately washed away to the roadside and pavements, creating a skid risk for vehicles and a potential hazard from stones being flicked up at windscreens and pedestrians – at least one resident has reported their windscreen being damaged. Meanwhile at least three stretches of the road near busy junctions remained badly pitted and uneven, affecting steering.
Reacting to a video we posted on our Facebook page, a resident described the repair as, “the standard of letting a two year old ice a cake with a spoon”.
"I avoid this at all costs. I’m surprised I haven’t broken my suspension yet. I went on it once thought nope I’ll take the long route,” said another. Another angry reader said: “Can Sleaford Standard ask the council for the cost of the ‘repairs’ under the freedom of information act? I do hope the council aren't going to pay.”
Reacting to the concerns, County councillor for Sleaford, Steve Clegg, said: “Our highways team have recently carried out emergency repairs to potholes on Grantham Road, including before and during heavy rain. These faults required a rapid 22-hour turnaround, in an attempt to keep the road safe for users. So, even though the crew knew the weather conditions were far from ideal, they had to implement a temporary fix to prevent immediate hazards to drivers and pedestrians.”
He continued: “That said, this interim work clearly fell short of the standards we expect, leading to issues such as inadequate compaction and material being washed out onto pavements and roadsides. And we are committed to fixing these issues promptly. A team is onsite this week to tackle any urgent safety concerns, and longer-lasting saw-cut repairs are scheduled for next week (January 30). Looking ahead, a much larger-scale resurfacing scheme is set for July, which will significantly improve the road's condition and usability.”
He said the Reform UK-led administration is working hard to address the issues on roads inherited after years of under-investment by the Government.
"Since May, we have been making steady progress countywide to turn this around. In Sleaford specifically, we've already delivered major improvements to Boston Road last year, and Grantham Road is next in line for those significant works in just a few months.
“Lincolnshire County Council is absolutely determined to ensure Sleaford gets the road improvements it deserves as soon as possible. We fully understand and share the frustration felt by many. Rest assured, real improvements are underway, and we are working tirelessly to make our roads better for everyone.”