Angry residents hit out over unadopted road

4:00pm Sunday 13th January 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Dani Webb, Chief Reporter (South Durham)

ANGRY residents living in pothole-ridden streets have vowed to stop motorists using them unless the county council agrees to improve and adopt them.

Stretches of Northumberland Avenue, Byron Avenue and Milton Avenue, in Bishop Auckland – which total about 150metres – are not maintained by Durham County Council.

However, other parts of the same streets and all the roads around them in the residential area are looked after and are in a good state of repair.

Residents said the roads are barely useable due to the potholes but yet they say they are made worse by dozens of drivers using them every day to avoid town centre traffic.

Steven Harrison, of Byron Avenue, said residents have patched it (his street) up over the years but have been quoted £200,000 to repair it to council standards.

“Something needs to be done but it is a lot of money between about six houses,” he said. “We would never get that money back in the house value.

“We have filled the holes in over the years but as soon we do it gets used even more and it does not last. We don’t know why these parts were not adopted at the same time as the others.

“We have been told by the council it is a private road so if nothing is done we will just block it off.”

Jacqui Alderson, of Northumberland Avenue, added: “It is just so frustrating. In winter the holes fill with water and in summer it is like living in a dust storm.

“We are supposed to be living in the 21st century. If it was a quiet road then fair enough but it isn’t.”

Adrian White, head of transport at Durham County Council, said: “Durham County Council is responsible for maintaining and repairing most public highways but not when the road is privately owned.

“However, even though it is privately owned, it is likely that this road will have highway rights and therefore it should not be obstructed or blocked off.

“We understand this is frustrating and if the residents living on these streets would like to discuss the matter with myself and the relevant officers, we will be more than happy to set up a meeting.”

Comments (5)

6:18pm Sun 13 Jan 13

bishops_man says...

If anyone thought motorists would you use this road to avoid the traffic then they are seriously deluded. It is used soley for access, nobody in their right mind would use these roads if they didn't have to. Get real !!!
If anyone thought motorists would you use this road to avoid the traffic then they are seriously deluded. It is used soley for access, nobody in their right mind would use these roads if they didn't have to. Get real !!! bishops_man

6:52pm Sun 13 Jan 13

the-big-yin says...

I-ve seen this road...it is a right mess...as the council say though it is not adopted, so why should the council fork out our taxes to pay for this to be done...£200,000 to fix the road...what planet are they on...the residents should get in a decent tarmac firm and get it sorted as it is their problem and not the councils...they cannot block the road off as that would be against the law and the police would become involved.....
I-ve seen this road...it is a right mess...as the council say though it is not adopted, so why should the council fork out our taxes to pay for this to be done...£200,000 to fix the road...what planet are they on...the residents should get in a decent tarmac firm and get it sorted as it is their problem and not the councils...they cannot block the road off as that would be against the law and the police would become involved..... the-big-yin

9:11pm Sun 13 Jan 13

bishop1 says...

the council won't even fix the main roads so they have no chance .
the council won't even fix the main roads so they have no chance . bishop1

10:33pm Sun 13 Jan 13

theWorkerScum says...

Think of it as traffic calming. You'd only complain if people used it as a shortcut at high speed so not sure what the problem is here. Besides DCC won't fill in potholes on adopted streets so why a big deal to get it adopted. Hope this makes the residents feel better. By the way you don't need to use dcc to patch up a road, I will do for cheaper. Once up to standard they will adopt.
Think of it as traffic calming. You'd only complain if people used it as a shortcut at high speed so not sure what the problem is here. Besides DCC won't fill in potholes on adopted streets so why a big deal to get it adopted. Hope this makes the residents feel better. By the way you don't need to use dcc to patch up a road, I will do for cheaper. Once up to standard they will adopt. theWorkerScum

8:08pm Mon 14 Jan 13

pilchrat says...

I do feel for the residents. It's been this way since I was a kid and walked back home cutting through this road; it's like muddy concrete pothole hell ... clearly nothings changed.

I can't imagine it would cost £200k to fix; it's only a small bit of road.

I can't believe though that the road legally has to be open, if only the 6 houses next to it are responsible for its upkeep. I'd close it off, see if anyone actually does take legal action.

If it's a private road, they own it, so as long as those 6 houses can access the road, then I think that's fair enough. Put a couple of pop up bollards in and you're sorted.
I do feel for the residents. It's been this way since I was a kid and walked back home cutting through this road; it's like muddy concrete pothole hell ... clearly nothings changed. I can't imagine it would cost £200k to fix; it's only a small bit of road. I can't believe though that the road legally has to be open, if only the 6 houses next to it are responsible for its upkeep. I'd close it off, see if anyone actually does take legal action. If it's a private road, they own it, so as long as those 6 houses can access the road, then I think that's fair enough. Put a couple of pop up bollards in and you're sorted. pilchrat

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