Private Potholes

[Canary42]

If you think potholes are bad on public roads, have a look at this case on private roads.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/angry-residents-potholes-road-essex-154645247.html?.tsrc=fp_deeplink   

 

[ladybirder]

I'm so glad I don't live there it looks a right dump and will cost an absolute fortune to put right.

And I moan about a few potholes around B&H.  Didn't realise how lucky I really am!

[bookbinder]

It seems that the road is not the council's responsibility, which means that the residents will have to club together and pay for the resurfacing work.

[Old_Geezer]

40% loss of trade ? It'd pay them to get them filled themselves.

[jno]

Essex only repairs public ones if you're famous

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/rod-stewarts-neighbours-angry-council-26783683

[barry1010]

The estate is private and the residents will be paying management and maintenance fees that should be spent on the upkeep of common areas.  They could take the management/trustees to court

[Captain2]

We live on a private lane, off a private road. The whole groups of houses on the private road pay an annual fee to a communal pot for the upkeep of the gutters and drains and for re-surfacing when needed.

The lane is a different matter in that it is also a right of way for pedestrians, so the Council are 'obliged' to maintain it, when informed of any necessary works. The problem is that if there are say 3 holes needing re-surfacing in one square metre, they will 'fill' 3 holes (no cutting out, no compacting, no sealing) and not do a proper repair and do the whole 1sm. Short term mentality because the next time there is a downpour, most of the infill gets washed away.

I agree with Barry here, in that the site/management company should be held responsible for the repairs and not just lump it onto the Council.

[Old_Geezer]

Wherever I've lived the back lane has been private, apparently, but there's never any management/trustees, it's just an excuse for the council not to sort anything while still taking rates off us to pay for other lanes.

[barry1010]

This isn't one road, though, it's a very run down "holiday park" not intended for year round occupation.  It is occupied by chalets, mobile homes and caravans as seen in the tv series 'Benefits by the Sea' and many people do live there permanently.

[davebro3]

they look like big hefty blokes - why don't they roll their sleeves up & fix the potholes themselves?

[barry1010]

Because they are paying the management to maintain it; because if they do they will assume responsibility for the maintenance and they could be legally liable for any damage/injuries arising; because if they do the management will never carry out effective maintenance; because it is not their property to interfere with

[davebro3]

wel they'll have to like it or lump it then

[JACKSON-REACHER]

They live on an unadopted road. Surely they knew that when they bought their sheds years ago?

[barry1010]

Yes they did know, as does everyone who buys a static home on a holiday park.  They don't own the communal roads and spaces. They expect the roads to be maintained by the site owners, that's what they their fees for.

 

[Countrylover]

Most private roads I have known of have to be maintained by the residents who share the cost of maintenance.  The land we sold from my mother's house was developed for some new houses with a private road.  The council are under no obligation to service it and the residents are aware they have a shared responsibility for it.  My son lives in my mother's house and because he shares the road has to pay towards it as well.  Actually its kept beautifully.  

[barry1010]

I agree, CL, but this is a holiday park.  Totally different.

[barry1010]

The residents are neither asking or expecting the council to fix the potholes 

[Countrylover]

If the council hasn't adopted the road then it's the landowners duty to maintain it surely, which would probably mean the people living there now would be expected to pay an annual fee.  There is no reason to blame the council.  Councils are running out of money now.

[Countrylover]

Barry.  Have I misunderstood.  The link says that residents are complaining.

[jno]

the're not complaining about the council, though - they don't mention it.

[Countrylover]

But the council is defending itself

"Essex Highways, part of Essex County Council, said the roads were private and it was not its responsibility to maintain them. A spokesperson said: "The Bel Air Chalet Estate in St Osyth is made up of private roads and all rights and responsibilities for the maintenance and management of these roads are private."

Who are the people blaming then.  I'm still confused.

They need to hire Sir Rod and lads  or get together and organise something. Did they get permission to change their chalets to permanent residences?