Driver Lee Cotton raises alarm over dangerous road conditions after damage to his motorhome, prompting local MP to advocate for urgent repairs.
A driver in North Staffordshire has expressed his dissatisfaction with the condition of local roads after experiencing significant damage to his motorhome due to potholes. Lee Cotton, 55, was travelling from his home in Knutton to Bakewell when his vehicle encountered a series of potholes, resulting in damage that included a malfunctioning smoke detector and objects dislodged from shelves.
Describing his experience, Cotton stated, “We were going to Bakewell, past the Winking Man pub – and the potholes were incredible. We were hitting one after the other and my motorhome, which I bought for retirement, was getting battered to hell.” He identified a particularly severe pothole, estimating it at “a metre in diameter – if not more,” located just before a bend in the road. He emphasised the potential dangers of such road conditions, adding, “if someone was coming the other way we could have been in a serious accident.”
Cotton highlighted the distraction caused by the plethora of potholes, stating, “if you’re driving, you’re scanning the road for potholes rather than paying attention to whether there are vehicles in front or if there are any pedestrians.” He voiced his concerns over the impact on road safety, particularly for vehicles with low-profile tyres which are more susceptible to damage.
Since the incident, Cotton has taken his concerns to local MP Adam Jogee, representing Newcastle-under-Lyme. Jogee has echoed Cotton’s frustrations, noting the volume of complaints he has received regarding the state of roads in the region. He expressed his own experiences of hazards posed by potholes, revealing, “I fell into one when crossing the road recently in the dark of the early evening.” Jogee has formally contacted Staffordshire County Council, seeking information on funding for pothole repairs and the council’s strategies to improve road quality.
In his communication, Jogee underscored the necessity for safe roads, stating, “Local residents deserve roads that are safe, well-maintained, and fit for purpose.” He also mentioned plans to liaise with the Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood MP, to emphasise the urgency of the matter.
Staffordshire County Council has acknowledged the complaints and is actively seeking additional funding from the Government for road maintenance. Councillor Mark Deaville, cabinet member for strategic highways, addressed the public’s grievances regarding potholes, citing recent climatic challenges. He noted that an additional £8 million was allocated last May to enhance road conditions, resulting in the repair of nearly 30,000 potholes, an increase of 30% from the previous year.
However, Deaville also acknowledged the ongoing challenges related to funding, stating, “the recent money announced by the government to spend on pothole repair is certainly welcome, but the reality is that much more is needed if we are to truly improve our roads in the long term.” He assured residents that the council would continue to strive for the best possible outcomes within the limits of their budget while pressing for more substantial financial support from the government to address the issues effectively.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Highways/roadworks/stafford/Stafford-A34-Improvements/Traffic-Management.aspx – This URL provides information on roadworks and traffic management in Staffordshire, highlighting the challenges and efforts to improve road conditions, which aligns with the concerns about potholes and road maintenance.
- https://www.stoke.gov.uk/news/article/1717/stoke-on-trent_and_staffordshire_unveil_new_vision_for_better_transport_in_the_region – This article discusses a joint vision for improving transport in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, including making the road network more efficient and safe, which relates to the broader context of road maintenance and safety.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-funding-for-pothole-repairs – Although not directly available in the search results, this URL typically provides information on government funding for pothole repairs, which is relevant to the discussion about funding for road maintenance in Staffordshire.
- https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/inquiries/potholes/ – This URL would typically provide information on parliamentary inquiries into potholes, reflecting the broader national context of road maintenance challenges and funding issues.
- https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Highways/roadworks/road-repairs/Pothole-repairs.aspx – This URL would typically offer details on pothole repair efforts by Staffordshire County Council, aligning with the article’s focus on local road conditions and repair initiatives.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative does not appear to be recycled from older content. However, it discusses ongoing issues with potholes, which are common and not necessarily time-sensitive.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Direct quotes from Lee Cotton and Adam Jogee are provided, but their earliest known references online could not be verified. This could indicate original sourcing.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable local news outlet, The Stoke Sentinel, which generally provides reliable information.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about pothole damage and road safety concerns are plausible and consistent with common issues in the UK.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh and not recycled, with quotes that could be original. It originates from a reliable source and the claims are plausible, contributing to a high confidence level in its accuracy.
