Fed-up Worthing councillors throw birthday party for nuisance pothole

Two fed-up Worthing councillors have thrown a birthday party for a nuisance pothole.
Martin McCabe and Bob Smytherman 'celebrated' with a cake and candles by the hole on Palatine RoadMartin McCabe and Bob Smytherman 'celebrated' with a cake and candles by the hole on Palatine Road
Martin McCabe and Bob Smytherman 'celebrated' with a cake and candles by the hole on Palatine Road

To mark the two year anniversary of the appearance of the pothole, Martin McCabe and Bob Smytherman 'celebrated' with a cake and candles by the hole on Palatine Road.

Martin said: "Local people are sick of this pothole. It's been reported many times, including by me. The repairs keep failing. So we've thrown the pothole a birthday party to highlight the problem out of sheer desperation.

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We're urging the Council to get a grip and fix our roads. National Pothole Day is January 15th. We've started early and are encouraging local people to take part and motivate the Council to sort this out."

Bob, who is also Worthing's town crier, sang Happy Birthday to the hole. He then went on to describe it as 'horrendous' and 'just an absolute nightmare for people around here'.

This is what West Sussex County Council has been doing to tackle potholes.A spokesman said: "We recently inspected the pothole and a repair had already been scheduled. It will be done as soon as possible.

“We are responsible for maintaining around 2,500 miles of road in West Sussex and the repair of large/deep potholes is done within 28 days, or sooner, if the problem is severe.

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“Unfortunately, roads are not permanent structures and deteriorate over time from constant use, the weight of vehicles using them and the effects of the weather. With the expansion and contraction caused by temperature change, deterioration will occur, resulting in new potholes.”

For more Information about how the council 'categorises and prioritises pothole repairs', click here.