Wirral cyclist slams council after flooded ‘pot-hole-ridden’ road …
David Brewer, from Bromborough, said he has been in an “ongoing dispute” with the council after reporting the issue last year and raising numerous complaints.
On March 12, 2023, David, 69, crossed the junction at Eastham Refinery on North Road, Eastham and West Road on his bike when he his wheel hit an eroded edge causing him to fall off his bike and injure himself.
Image showing cracks in the road (Image: David Brewer)
David, a member of Wirral Cycling Group, told the Globe: “It was around 4pm when I crossed where the railway line is. The road there is badly deteriorated at the edges where the railway lines diagonally cross the road, are badly potholed and also flooded.
“While I was on my bike, I hit an edge and fell straight off. I badly sprained my hand, and I was covered in grazes and bruises. It wasn’t pleasant.”
David has since raised numerous complaints with Wirral Council who informed David that the area is “not adopted or maintained” by the council but “as a duty of care” they had made “some defects safe” near the rail line.
David Brewer, who is a regular cyclist, described the route as dangerous (Image: David Brewer)
David was also informed that the council had made an investigation into who was responsible for the area.
On October 16, 2023, David was informed by Councillor Jo Bird that Wirral Council had contacted Peel who confirmed that the adopted areas that border each other are adopted highway plans from Cheshire West and Chester and Wirral Council.
He said: “However, I later received a response that the rail lines were not the responsibility of Wirral Council and that the surface is inspected for safety and action taken when deemed necessary. It’s totally contradicting their first response to me. In my opinion, it shows they do not know their responsibilities or do not want to know. It is sheer incompetence.”
The railway lines outside Eastham Refinery on North Road, Eastham (Image: David Brewer)
A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “Part of this section of road is in Wirral and part is in Cheshire West, while the railway track and its concrete surround is owned by Peel. Wirral Council continues to work with partners as appropriate to make sure roads adopted by the authority are safe for use.
“Work is also underway to look into the causes of flooding in this area and options for reducing this.”
Flooding across the junction (Image: David Brewer)
A spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council are responsible for the roundabout and a short section of spur road up to the Wirral Boundary.”
A map supplied by Cheshire West and Chester Council illustrates the area that Cheshire West and Chester Council maintains.
A map supplied by Cheshire West and Chester Council (Image: Cheshire West and Chester Council)
A spokesperson added: “The roundabout and the spur to the north (up to Wirral Boundary) is Cheshire West and Chester (yellow coloured). The black and white dotted section is private (Stellantis Peugeot/Vauxhall) and the red dotted section of North Road is the only part classed as Eastham and this is Wirral Borough Councils. The blue line is West Road and managed by Cheshire West and Chester.”
The Globe approached Peel who declined to comment but confirmed that according to its records “the road is adopted and the maintenance and responsibility of the road site with either Cheshire West and Chester Council or Wirral Council depending on the exact location”.
The road where David fell (Image: David Brewer)
David said: “What’s annoyed me is no one is taking responsibility it’s very frustrating. It’s a regular route I use, and it’s gotten so much worse with the flooding because now you can’t see where the danger is.
“The railway hasn’t been used for ages it should be removed because it’s diagonally across the road it should be removed properly.
“What will it take? Someone to get killed before anyone takes any notice of it?”