Fill that hole: Report pothole hazards on your routes - fix potholes

fleet street one is gone. Still massive one just after the junction north bound on aldwych.

Ok...I have never done this before - I have drafted a letter to the council and enclosed photos.
Advice / Feedback appreciated.

             To whom it may concern

I am writing to make a claim against Westminster Council for damage sustained to my Aksium wheelset, as a result of a deep pothole/roadwork left uncovered on Waterloo Bridge.

I was riding over Waterloo Bridge on the 27th August at approximately 14.40 to attend a 15.00 hair appointment in Covent Garden. I hit a huge hole in the bridge, which looked like a man-made roadwork that had been left uncovered. I was very fortunate not to fall off my bike into heavy traffic as a result of contact with it. The wheels took the brunt of the impact, and I sustained a puncture to the rear wheel. I immediately moved off the road, and checked my wheels, which were both wobbling, although the rear seemed to have sustained the worst of the impact.
I did not have time to photograph the pothole as I had an appointment to attend and the traffic was busy. When I was able to return to photograph the hole on the 31/08/2010, it had been covered over. I enclose photographs of the site, and it is clear that the tar is fresh and you can make out the outline of the hole it covers. I am sure you have records of works undertaken on the bridge between 27-31st August to confirm this. I would like to see a copy of these if possible.
I also enclose a photograph of text correspondence with my partner, as I asked him to get me an inner tube to replace the rear one which was punctured when I went over the pothole. This confirms times and dates of this incident.

I have since visited a bike shop who tried to true the wheels for me. The mechanic informed me that the rear rim is dented, and a replacement is required. I enclose an assessment of the damage, and a quote for a replacement wheel-set.
Please advise how and when I shall be re-imbursed for the damage and costs incurred, and what further action I need to take in this matter.
I would also like to inform you that when I returned to the site to take photos I discovered two very dangerous potholes on the road nearby the site where my wheels were damaged. The first appears to be man-made and near a bus-stop, directly in the path cyclists would usually be taking on the bridge. (see photo 2a)
Furthermore, on the opposite side of the road to where I encountered the road-work, there is a very large pothole, but also a notice declaring ‘Cycle Lane Closed’. You will see from my photographs (Photos 2b,c,d) that this sign actually encourages cyclists to move right out into the road, due to the closure of the cycle lane. This moves them directly into the path of the giant pothole. This is a very dangerous situation, and we witnessed many vehicles and cyclists swerving to avoid this pothole when we were taking photographs. Should a cyclist be knocked off their bike due to being instructed to enter the path of this pothole as a result of the closed cycle path, or should a car swerve to avoid it and move into the path of a cyclist, the outcome could be very serious.

I was very disappointed to see such carelessness on the part of whoever is responsible for this. Clearly no thought has been given to the effect such negligence has on road-users. I hope that having brought this to your attention, something will be done about it before someone has a bad accident. I would have thought there are general safety standards which need to be adhered to on such busy central roads in the event of construction, road-works, or cycle lane closure?

I would appreciate a swift response to this issue as I now find myself without a wheel-set to ride and race with, and cycling is my primary source of transport.

Yours Sincerely, etc.etc.etc.

PHOTOS:

I thought you had to, to make a claim to get reimbursed for damage to wheels etc?
I'll check it now.

www.fillthathole.org.uk

This one has already been filled in when I reported it, not sure why it's part of your e-mail?

Just illustrating their carelessness really. Saw a number of cyclists on Boris bikes swerving out into the middle of the road due to that sign being there.

You are right, I should probably leave it out.

Good to know it's been filled.

Agreed...
IMHO I would limit your email to the hole you came into contact with, bringing unrelated holes and the condition of the highway is not relevant to your claim.
Work on the basis that these people need things spelling out to them as clearly and simply as possible.

There was a hole in the road.
I hit it.
It damaged my wheel (evidence attached)
I am requesting compensation/costs.

I would also consider CCing your solicitor, and possibly national and LDN cycling lobbyists.

Good luck with it.

I bet the council staff are just itching to write back, "sorry about your bike, but you'll find that we have already stuffed filled your hole".

I'm convinced that every time there's an accident concerning a pothole or roadworks, news gets to the council bods, and they spot-repair it nearly immediately.

Ok cool, cheers for the advice!

I'm not wanting to be pedantic...was happy that I stayed on the bike and avoided damaging myself or the frame. But at the end of the day, its a £200 set of wheels that is now a dented set of £200 wheels.

Was just surprised when I went back to take the pictures to see that sign up by the pothole on the opposite side of the road. Seemed pretty careless and dangerous. Definitely a separate issue though!

I guess it is good to log these things because if an accident did happen as a result, then at least there is a record of someone bringing it to their attention.

Glad to learn about this fillahole.org.uk site and will definitely be in touch with them about some of the crevasses I encounter! :)

ha I've just re-read my letter
The last bit does go a little bit 'angry cyclist' ::BLUSH::

these people need things spellig out to them as clearly and simply as possible.

Sorry had to quote this, made me smile!

1 Attachment

Great photo. I'm guessing she's about 9.

I'm guessing she's about 40 by now, judging by the bike which she presumably got new for her 9th birthday.

right little bleeder

Good photos!

After getting a double puncture on Morval Road in Brixton on monday I reported it to Lambeth, because it's been a really bad way for months, cracks down the whole length of it. And buses and cars always trying to force you into them.

Got this reply later that day.
"We have up to approximately 230 roads across the borough which need to be looked at, and there are 8 roads which have planned programme works in place for being re-surfaced.

Unfortunately, the road which you have indicated (Morval Road) is not one of them but we are aware that the road does need to be looked in to. I am afraid there is currently no timescale in place for the road to be looked at this financial year, but this possibly may change when the next new financial year starts.

I can appreciate that this may not be the answer which you are looking for, but all the roads which have been looked at 8 have been highlighted as very high and priority have been given to them.

We do get requests for re-surfacing works on various roads right across the borough, and the highways engineers visit all affected roads to identify what criteria they fall in to and the type of works needed.

If the road does appear to be in a dangerous state and there is a health and safety risk to members of the public, those areas will be made safe after the inspection has been carried out by the Highways Engineer for that area."

Today I find the road closed and being completely resurfaced. I call that a result.

Racing yesterday and the organisers had actually highlighted each and every pot hole on the course with bright yellow road marker paint. Easy to spot and avoid in a tight bunch at race pace.

This got me thinking that a bit of guerilla marking of pot holes wouldn't go amiss in londons famous london. Serve as a visible warning to all road users and would highlight just how many fucking potholes there are around.. Seems to me that soon enough the whole of london could be covered in bright yello halo's.. Might even get he councils to actually do something

You can do old kent road...I'll watch

You have beautifully pointed out the floor in my plan.. It would take a lot of paint.... I.E a lot of cash as well..

brave,thats a brilliant idea.but we would need a million gallons of hi vis paint.i was cycling on one of the cycle routes in balham last week,junction of emmanuel/fernlea road then onto start of cavendish road .potholes everywhere bumpity bumpity bump..my front cateye flew off bounced along the road .i stopped picked it up,switched it on and it still worked brilliant i thought,until i tried to attach it back on the bike,fitting on light smashed to bits.35 quid down the spout ;-(

How many people on this forum?? One or two can's of paint each?? maybe a halo and a tag of a username??

Just an idea..

Group bright yellow spray paint buy?

We could start with the worst we know of then move on to the smaller ones.

I like the idea.

we would all get nicked for criminal damage ;-)

Surely it would be better to bombard them first with *actual *reports via

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/reportastreetfault/newfault.aspx

Like hundreds. Every pothole with a picture on OKR, or wherever you ride. This seems like a better idea before turning to vandalism. After all the online 'official' reports are filed I'm happy to partake in vandalism ;)