Council is under fire for Gosforth pothole spraying debris. Schoolchildren are at risk near Jubilee Road.
Councillor Peter Lovatt spoke to a reporter, stating that the council hasn’t fixed the pothole well. He is urging them to repair Jubilee Road quickly, as loose road bits scatter due to cars driving on the potholes.
Lovatt believes an accident is likely, suggesting cars could swerve to avoid the potholes and cyclists might hit them hard. He also worries that flying debris could harm kids going to school, blaming poor repairs and funding issues for the situation.
The city council acknowledges that the earlier repair failed too soon, but promised further work would happen this weekend. Lovatt, however, wants to know about quality control, pointing out that he reported the urgent issue last week.
He emphasizes that debris sprays onto the path, especially since buses use the road and Gosforth Junior High is nearby with Archibald First School right behind. Many children walk there, and cyclists face issues as well.
The Government allocated money for potholes, but the North East’s infrastructure remains a concern for many. Lovatt argues that fixing a pothole badly is a waste of money because it leads to constant repairs.
The council has cleared loose chippings and plans more repairs this weekend to ensure road safety. They also stated that they inspect roads and pavements often, prioritizing urgent repairs.
Jubilee Road is scheduled for resurfacing in May. The council explains that the temporary repair failed early because of extensive road damage, even though it was fixed for the winter in anticipation of weather events. A complete, lasting solution is on its way.