REPORT EVERY POTHOLE - for the Benefit of All

REPORT EVERY POTHOLE or other dangerous road defect - make a note of it as soon as you encounter it.

It is so important for everyone that dangerous potholes are fixed as soon as possible. Herts Highways are supposed to check for them at six-monthly intervals but of course that is too infrequent - we are in the best position to see these dangers, so let's report them to benefit each other.

It's quick and easy to report on line but the reporting method has changed slightly which makes it seem more difficult.

HOW TO Report on Line - Some TIPS & TRICKS to save effort ...

• First of all, don't bother to find out if the fault has already been reported - this wastes your time.


• Go to THIS PAGE & select fault type (e.g. Pothole in road)


• Proceeds to "Locate" stage. Enter location & click Search. Often after clicking "Search" the location can't be found & you get a dumb response - keep trying! (e.g. For Avenue Road, you need to enter Avenue without Road!!).


• Once the location is found click "Continue without map". Avoid using button "Locate using map" (it takes forever).


• Proceeds to "Detail" stage, where sometimes several locations are presented, click the one which applies.


• The "Fault Description" box lets you enter free text. If in your opinion the fault/pothole is dangerous*, be sure to say 'Dangerous to Cyclists' in this box, along with location information such as house number & other brief details of the fault.


• Also using this free-text box you can report a number of faults of the same type at different locations in the same road - Saves your time.


• In the Name section - note another time-saver - that you do not need to complete your name and address details - just enter your email if you want an acknowledgement.

* Herts Highways' definition of a dangerous pothole is 47 mm deep or more, we don't agree!

This is an update of the previous post on pothole reporting HERE where you can still find lots of useful information on reporting by phone or reporting to STACC so we can report to Herts Highways for you.

Herts Highways lose 30% of cycling staff

Helen McCormick has moved to another role within the organisation, so Dave Burt's cycling team is reduced to 2 - himself and George Eivers. So Herts Highways are reducing capacity to provide cycle schemes - maybe our biggest campaign issue is HH staffing levels!

Is this the best Herts Highways can do?

Yet another world-class pothole repair by Herts Highways., originally uploaded by mike1727.

Sherwood avenue, Marshalwick; opposite the shops.

The road is potholed over approx 150 metre section from (newly reurfaced) Marshalswick lane towards the speed tables at the junction with Skys Wood Road. A couple of months ago the potholes were marked with yellow lines, presumably to define the area for a 'proper' repair rather than more patching.

A couple of weeks ago this patch appeared on one of the larger potholes- but not quite fixing the problem since there's still a section unreparied, right on the riding line.

What happened? Did someone turn up and go home before the job was finished? Didn't they bring enough tarmac? Why didn't any of the other potholes get patched?

What a wate of money- our council tax has paid for a bodged job, and we'll have to pay again for a second visit to sort it out. Why wasn't the job done properly first time?

Fault resubmitted to Herts Highways, reference 1315144.

London Road Cycle Path

What is it?
London Road Cycle Route will run off-road from Grosvenor Road to St Vincent Drive, making use of the wide footway (which is currently only used for car parking).
It will continue on-road on (quiet) Admiral's Walk to connect with the existing cycle path which continues to London Colney.
The design provides safe crossing places at junctions.
It will be a very significant addition to our modest cycling infrastructure as it will provide a continuous route from London Colney and London Road
estates to a very useful junction from which journeys can continue off-road along Alban Way or on quieter roads (Old London Road, Approach Road/Riverside Road) and the 30 mph section of London Road into town.
It avoids the need to use the 40mph(+++) section with central refuges which are too daunting for inexperienced cyclists.
Importantly it will make possible many safe cycle journeys to schools and to the City Station.

When?
According to the Highways Partnership meeting of October 24th 2006, work would start about January 2007. - Not achieved.
So Wheeeen???
According to St Albans Cycling Strategy meeting on 16th April 2007, the work would most definitely start that very week. - Not achieved.
So Whe.e.e.e.e.e.nnnn ?????
According to STACC member Ollie's careful scrutiny, looking (on 2nd May 2007) for the smallest indication that something has started......
"There's no sign of any activity on this - not even a road cone! I thought Herts Highways were supposed to start as soon as the works in the High Street were finished. "
But see comments .......

A pothole made me crash...what now?

CIMG1038.JPG, originally uploaded by mayhem.

So, that innocent-looking puddle turned out to be a nasty pothole and you've got a damaged bike, or worse still you fell and have some injuries. Chances are that Herts Highways should have fixed that pothole before you found it, and they may be liable for damage to you and/or your bike. What do you do now?

1. Report the accident. If you're unlucky enough to have been taken away in an ambulance the police may have attended, otherwise make sure you report it to the police. Make sure you get and keep references and the names and addresses of any witnesses if another vehicle was involved, in the same way you would for a car accident.
2. Report the pothole. This is very important to prevent others from suffering the same fate and to ensure that Herts Highways have a record of the incident if the pothole has been reported before. Please let STACC know too. Click here for our guide on reporting potholes. Don't forget to take photos if at all possible, even if it means that you (or a friend) need to go back to the scene later.
3. Record any damage or injuries. Take photographs of any injuries as soon as possible and obtain a hospital or GP's report if you are treated for injuries. Try to get hold of any police reports and make sure you have the name and number of any police who attended the scene. Photograph and note all damage to your bike, accessories or clothing and keep everything.
4. Get legal advice. If you're a member of the CTC you'll be able to get free legal advice- many other similar organisations offer similar schemes. Your trade union or employer's employee assistance scheme may also be able to help, and it's worth checking if you are covered by bike or household insurance. (Your bike is insured, isn't it?). If you're not otherwise covered you can engage your own solicitor or look for help from one of the many 'no win no fee' agencies. You may also be able to lodge a claim yourself but we can't offer any advice on how to do this at the moment- start with the Citizen's Advice Bureau.
5. Get repair quotes and keep receipts. It's probably best to get legal advice before having your bike repaired, but if your bike is your only means of transport you may need to have to repaired quickly. Get several quotes from reputable bike shops, and if you have repairs done make sure you keep receipts and the damaged parts. Bike shops may charge you for quotes, don't forget to include this cost in your claim.
6. Be patient. The legal process may take some time, especially if injuries are involved.

Things that go bump on the road

SEE LATER POST ON POTHOLES HERE

pot·hole (pŏt'hōl') n.
1. A hole or pit, especially one in a road surface. Also called chuckhole.
2. A deep round hole worn in rock by loose stones whirling in strong rapids or waterfalls.
3. Western U.S. A place filled with mud or quicksand that is a hazard to cattle.

Answers.com

At best an uncomfortable jolt on your journey, at worst a danger to both you and your bike. Deep, hard edged, debris shedding- often disguised as a simple puddle, these hazards lurk all over the district's roads, despite Herts Highways' patching efforts. Here's a quick reminder of how you can help reduce the problem by reporting them; watch out for future posts as we put Herts Highways' performance under the microscope over the coming months!



"During the year ending March 2005, 88% of reported potholes were repaired within 24 hours."


Herts Highways promise to fix hazardous potholes within 24 hours. Unfortunately Herts Highways don't tell us what they consider to be a hazardous pothole! This definition from Cambridge Cycling Campaign is as good a guide as any, but if you see any hazard in the road which is big, deep or rough enough to make you want to swerve to avoid it then it should be reported.

"Potholes are considered dangerous when they are vertically sided, and more than 20 mm deep, with an area of greater than 0.1 m² in principal road carriageways and 50 mm deep in non-principal road carriageways and more than 20 mm deep and have an area of 0.1 m². in any footway, cycleway and marked cycle lane and are sufficiently far from the edge of the carriageway or footway to be surrounded by bituminous material. Other conditions which occur should be judged in accordance with the good practice and specification requirements, and dealt with accordingly"

You'll need to note the following details- if you don't have a piece of paper handy try writing a text message to yourself on your mobile (you don't need to send the message, just save it).

Location- road name, carriageway, nearest house/landmark
Description- size, depth, distance from kerb
Date
If possible take a photo.

Armed with these details, you can report the hazard and start the repair clock ticking.

There are several ways to report hazards:

Online at hertdirect.org. Navigate through the options to select the most appropriate hazard type - pothole for a pothole or carriageway/road/cycleway for other hazards).

Online at the CTC's site fillthathole.org.uk. Use the map to locate the hazard, the CTC will report the pothole to Herts Highways on your behalf.

By phone. Call Herts Highways on 01438 737320. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am - 8pm and Saturdays from 9am - 4pm.

Here. Leave a comment here and we'll report the hazard for you- please make it clear that you haven't reported it yourself. You can email any photos to stacc.potholes@hartleys.org.uk- this includes sending in pictures direct from your cameraphone!

However you report the hazard, please note the reference number and add it as a comment here so that we can track it. This is important since it enables us to keep an eye on Herts Highways' performance.

Coming soon- what to do if a pothole damages your bike or causes an accident.