A councillor has called for a recently resurfaced road to be resurfaced again after two utility companies dug up the newly laid asphalt in separate places.
Green councillor Pete West criticised the timing of gas and water works in Ditchling Road, Brighton, three days after the new road surface had been laid.
Brighton and Hove City Council resurfaced Ditchling Road between Fiveways and the Upper Lewes Road and Viaduct Road traffic lights.
But today (Thursday 20 November), there were two sets of traffic lights – one outside Downs Infant School where Southern Water was repairing a water leak and the other for Southern Gas Networks by the corner of Bromley Road.
Councillor West, who represents Roundhill ward, said that this was “frankly unbelievable news about Ditchling Road”.
He said: “We’ve been waiting so long for Labour promises to finally be delivered on resurfacing. It had become so rutted and dangerous, especially for cyclists.
“A patchwork quilt simply won’t do as the multiple joint lines will quickly succumb to frost damage. They need to commit to machine re-lay a whole section all the way down.”
Councillor West vowed to hold Labour councillor Trevor Muten to his pledge to reinstate the road surface.
Councillor Muten, the council’s cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said that both utility companies were carrying out emergency work.
He said: “We appreciate that the timing is frustrating and very disappointing but these were unplanned and necessary to maintain safety and essential services.
“The council is working closely with both contractors to ensure the road surface is reinstated to a standard as close as possible to the recent resurfacing.”
I’m sure there’s some irony in this with a green councillor demanding the road be resurfaced so car users can make the most of it again, when the greens want to reduce cars in the city…maybe its just my sense of humour.
I agree… so funny. How can he say that with a straight face when it was his Green council that allowed so many potholes to appear across the city. It is this kind of dishonesty and ignoring of past responsibilities that makes me distrust councillors. This council spends too much time playing politics.
Fixing roads properly, first time for everything I suppose.
Cllr West is a long time councillor and knows full well that once roadworks are completed after utility repairs a temporary repair is done and once the ground has had time to fully settle a permanent repair is done.
Rushing to do a full reinstatement is the wrong thing to do.