‘Absolutely disgusting’: Huge ‘craters’ left unrepaired by council for SIX MONTHS as driver dubs it ‘worst road in Northamptonshire’

It has now been a total of 23 weeks since the first member of the public reported issues on the B5385 – a busy route which goes through Watford village, over the M1 at Watford Gap to the A5 crossroads.

Both carriageways are filled with deep potholes – the worst of which sit on the side of the road heading towards the A5, forcing people to drive well below 10mph to avoid dangerous conditions.

Drivers unaware of the defects who hit them at speed have suffered the consequences, while others have to go into the middle of the road to avoid them but even then are faced with deep potholes in the centre.

WNC say that it is ‘dealing with the issues at this location reactively’ but the defects are ‘pronounced and require a more comprehensive solution’.

The issues on the road were first reported to West Northants Council (WNC) on the ‘report potholes or a highway problem’ section of its own website in January this year.

On January 10 a motorist said: “We are driving our new expensive cars through what can only be described as off road.

"For years I have complained about this and it’s absolutely disgusting why this is not being repaired. Today as I was returning to my village another motorist was on my side of the road to try and dodge these holes! Needs urgent attention.”

A automated response from WNC said the works were set for completion on March 5 and then later another update said July 6 – six months since it was first reported. Other comments followed which read: “Dreadful pothole. Popped my tyre. Immediately burst driver side rear tyre trying to avoid it at night.”

Another driver said: “An absolutely disgraceful piece of road it is dreadful. It must be one of the worst pieces of roads in Northamptonshire.”

A motorist added: “Have popped my tyre on this pothole tonight. Disgraceful it’s on the running lane like that.” One annoyed person said: “It's absolutely appalling how long this section of road has been left in this condition! Even travelling at crawling speeds through this section of road is uncomfortable and continues to damage cars.”

Another added: “This is not good enough. Sort yourself out WNC!! Easy to understand such a poor rating you got for maintaining road conditions in the recent UK survey when you see road conditions like this.”

As complaints continued to flood in – another automated messaged suggested that the ‘expected completion date’ for the work to be carried out would be June 18 – a few weeks earlier than originally scheduled.

However later messages reverted back to July.

One driver said: “The expected completion times of these road fixes are just not acceptable. You should be ashamed WNC!”

Another reported: “Road quality is still appalling. Having to travel this way and back each day for work is damaging my car. Keep having to drive on the other side of the road (not much better) which is obviously very dangerous. “The road has been bad for a while now and doesn’t seem to be any effort to get it sorted. Very disappointing.

A disgruntled driver added: “Road need fixing now! Serious accident will happen here and it’s on your heads.”

One motorist updated saying: “Ridiculous amount of potholes, having to go into opposite lane to attempt to avoid. Completely impossible to avoid during busy times meaning there is no choice but to drive through multiple potholes. Needs urgent attention.”

Many other people have reported punctures, damage to cars, loss of car badges and ongoing near-misses with others described it as ‘atrocious’ and ‘diabolical’.

One of the most recent comments uploaded to the website reads: “Immediate remedial action is needed before a serious incident occurs. The deterioration is worsening daily.”

Another said: “Dangerous and getting worse. Bluntly, it will kill or seriously injure somebody soon as the potholes stretch full width of road.”

This newspaper contacted West Northants Council to see what was going on and why the road was taking so long to fix. It confirmed that patchwork has taken place on a number of occasions but none have lasted. Cllr Richard Butler, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We have been dealing with the issues at this location reactively, but the defects are pronounced and require a more comprehensive solution.

“We’re liaising with our partners at Kier to schedule work during July, should conditions and capacity allow.”

On Sunday, Northampton Saints star Alex Coles took to the mic to say 'the potholes in this town are a joke' during the victory celebrations outside the Guildhall