City of Edinburgh Council’s road and footpath maintenance budget was increased last year, its transport and environment convener, but a pothole struck one of the authority’s cars
A car belonging to a city council was wiped out by a monster pothole as locals hailed it as “poetic justice”.
Stewart Torrance, who captured the pictures of the damaged vehicle on Tuesday, rejoiced following recent complaints to the City of Edinburgh Council about potholes across the Ratho and Newbridge areas of the Scottish capital.
Residents in these neighbourhoods, which are in the west of Edinburgh, have said that their cars have fallen victim to the potholes. Stewart, from Ratho, said: “A pothole under the M8 at Newbridge has destroyed many tyres and perhaps now they will repair it? The council vehicle became the latest casualty of the monster pothole early this morning but the whole area is covered in them, some on dangerous bends.”
Stewart and others in the area expressed hope damage to a local authority motor will finally galvanise the roads team to repair the area. The council’s road and footpath maintenance budget was increased last year, it is said.
Mandy Wynne, who has lived in the area for 55 years, says the stretch has always been badly affected by potholes. Her car blew a tyre when she travelled over a large pothole on Harvest Road on the same morning as the council vehicle.
She says that the council continuously comes to repair the road but that their efforts are “it’s like putting a plaster on a broken arm.” Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Mandy added: “I hit it this morning and my car is in the garage now,” she said. “I won’t get it until tomorrow which is a major inconvenience. I rely heavily on my car for everything. I had an appointment to see someone this afternoon but had to cancel because of this.
“I think the alloy is ok but it’s burst/blown the tyre and I won’t know the full extent of the damage until the garage gets back to me. Lots of cars have been left at the side of the road just up from the hole, assuming they’ve hit it too and left their car. A council van was abandoned on the kerb beside the pothole. I’m not too sure how long it’s been this bad or deep but a few weeks at least. The council apparently repaired and patched it up but it’s obviously broken away again!”
Transport and environment convener at City of Edinburgh Council Scott Arthur said: “Officers are inspecting the road and any urgent repairs will be carried as necessary. This situation explains why the road and footpath maintenance budget was increased again this year.” The Mirror has approached City of Edinburgh Council for further comment.