Help needed to identify the worst potholes in Redland, Bristol

After the past few cold spells, the problem of potholes on Bristol roads has gone from bad to worse but Bristol City Council says it is intent on fixing the problem.

Redland, with it's busy school run routes, has it's fair share of potholes but a reccy by me earlier this week showed the problem wasn't as grave as I imagined. In fact, for the large part, the roads were smooth but patchy looking suggesting that the council has already been working hard to fill the potentially dangerous potholes. Though of course, there are some left - see photo gallery.

The ones which are left are a real menace, proving a danger to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alilke. They can cause major damage to car wheels and suspension systems as well as causing cycle accidents, not to mention, tripping people up. Perhaps the smallest issue is the eyesore they become.

Bristol City Council last week put out a call for help in identifying the last few problem potholes in the city. It said that, as part of a major filling programme, more than 4,000 potholes have been filled since work began earlier this year following a devastating winter which did substantial damage to local roads large and small. See previous article.

The council's £2.4m budget for road maintenance was given a boost by a £723,000 government grant to get the job done for Bristol motorists.This budget is not only being used for pothole repairs but also to almost double the major surfacing, surface dressing and patch repairs to roads that deteriorated over the winter.  Works have recently been completed at Cadogan Road in Hengrove and Sion Hill in Clifton.

Councillor Tim Kent, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but you can judge a city by its road surface. Potholes make motorists, cyclists, bus passengers and tourists miserable, and give any city a poor reputation. It's a challenge to get them filled - particularly following a harsh winter as devastating to tarmac as the last one. But we used the power of the public to help us identify almost every one. If there are any left out there, we have a mission to fill them, so let us know."

You can report a pothole by phoning 0117 922 2100 between 8.30am - 6pm Monday to Friday. You can also make an online submission at: www.bristol.gov.uk/StreetFault