Everyday riding to work I pass the same pothole just before Blackfriars Bridge. It's really awkwardly placed, spanning about a foot across the inside of the road, and avoiding it while battling for space with Taxis and Buses is hardly the safest endeavour in the world. And every time I pass it I make a point to report it to the highway authority, but by the time I'm at my desk I've completely forgotten.
To help (and save navigating the local council's website), the CTC have set up a new, easy to use tool for just this reason. Head over to www.fillthathole.org.uk and use the map to navigate to the pothole you've spotted. The following form lets you describe the hazard, size and the date it appeared - and all of this takes just five minutes. We've just reported our pothole at Blackfriars Bridge and we'll be keeping an eye on how long it takes to be seen to.
CTC Director Kevin Mayne said: “Potholes and other road defects are more than just a nuisance; they're a danger to cyclists. They're responsible for 12% of compensation claims by CTC members, and local Councils have a duty to fix them. Reporting problems like this can be a chore, but our online facility has made it quick and easy.”
The website also allow other cyclists to see what has been reported, and if a problem is ignored and someone subsequently crashes, it will be possible to show that the council knew about it. Meanwhile, CTC will be working with local authorities to help them meet their duty to keep the roads and trails well maintained.
www.fillthathole.org.uk
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