The condition of roads and pavements in Rye – and not only in the town centre and surrounding villages – is getting more ,hazardous day by day, and the danger of tripping over raised paving stones has added an extra level of anxiety for elderly residents – and the hazard for motor vehicles has also become extremely serious.
In Rye’s East Street for example the pothole photographed on Wednesday January 20, measures some 80 x 40cm and is 12cm deep. The photograph has been sent to East Sussex County Council via the FixMyStreet website, with a copy to Rye Town Council.
This pothole is almost in the identical position as that reported three years ago in 2018 in Rye News. On that occasion, the repair was effected with commendable speed, but there may be need for ESCC highways department to reconsider the materials specification for such a high wear and tear area. But the current pandemic lockdown may mean that the problem persists for some while, despite the evident hazard to vehicles and indeed pedestrians.
Richard Farhall, Rye’s town clerk, advises that this may be one of five potholes which Councillor Keith Glazier has undertaken will be repaired by the middle of February. Highways department’s advice is that it is best to report any highway faults directly – and for potholes go to the East Sussex Highways webpage.
Image Credits: Kenneth Bird .
A great way to report street problems anywhere in the UK is through http://www.fixmystreet.com which makes sure your report goes to the right person in the right council. There is a matching app for smartphones too.
Had to go to The Conquest Hospital this week. There are potholes everywhere. You’d think that lockdown would provide the ideal opportunity to fix the relatively empty roads. Obviously not!
Potholes exist on many of our local roads, looking at past minutes of a brede parish council meeting, the county councillor said in many instances the filling is temporary. That says all, it’s not just the materials. In many instances attention may be given to the actual hole, but the fragmentation of its surrounds are ignored, water lies under the surface, which allows the pothole to return, only larger.
The continued situation that exists on our local roads as well as pathways is both a health and safety hazard to residents, more so when walking during the dark mornings and evening’s.
Ian Jenkins, Brede.
I made a rare car trip along Rye’s High Street recently and was astonished at the terrible condition of the road surface (as a pedestrian I suppose I’m so used to it I don’t notice any more). I have a disabled family member who’s fallen a few times because of the uneven pavements in Rye, a problem that’s only increased by motorists parking on those pavements. I love the “character” of Rye’s streets but there’s a line where character becomes a hazard, and we’ve crossed it.