Huge potholes plaguing roundabout outside Basingstoke Leisure Park

The condition of the road on the roundabout and surrounding areas, which is between Lidl and Basingstoke Leisure Park, has deteriorated significantly within the past few months. 

According to figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats through freedom of information (FOI) requests, 556,658 potholes were reported in the financial year 2021/22 across 81 councils, up from 519,968 in 2017/18.

The UK is more susceptible to potholes because of its climate. Cold and wet weather, particularly during the winter months, means water can get into cracks in the road surface before freezing. This eventually leads to potholes.

Rod Shaw, from Chineham, had noticed the condition of the road around the Basingstoke Leisure Park, measuring one pothole which was over six-foot long and two inches deep.

Rod, 71, said: “From Chineham to Popley, South Ham, Old Basing or Dummer, anywhere you go in Basingstoke the road system is Broken. Drivers are risking their vehicles, and their lives whilst commuting or just getting from A to B.

“Every trip road users will encounter enormous potholes, sinking metal grates and crumbling Tarmac which either get evaded or driven through at risk of an accident or vehicle damage.

Some potholes can be evaded, however, most are spread across the Tarmac with little chance of avoidance or threat of vehicle damage. The road system has been forgotten, and has been left tired, neglected and dangerous.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “The road on the roundabout close to Basingstoke Leisure Park is scheduled for repair by our Highways team in the next few days.

“Temporary repairs will be done initially while permanent repairs are arranged. All reported road defects are assessed and prioritised.”

References

1. ^{^} Car and lorry involved in crash near Basingstoke town centre (www.basingstokegazette.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Residents express fears as water continually seeping onto road (www.basingstokegazette.co.uk)