Collapsed manhole still broken one year on
IRATE residents in Winchombe are calling for a collapsed manhole cover in the town to be repaired once and for all after it has been neglected for more than a year.
People living in North Street say the treacherously uneven surface has blighted the pavement since December 2010.
-
STILL WAITING: Angry residents with the barriers which have surrounded the manhole for more than a year
Although it is surrounded by warning barriers to stop people from falling in, they say it is still unacceptable that it has taken so long to address the problem.
And they claim the barriers, which are more than a metre wide, are cluttering up the pavement, forcing pedestrians out into the road to pass.
Pensioner Tom Anderson, who owns a property in the street, said: "They need to get it sorted out. It has been there for far too long.
"I first remember they started working on it before Christmas in 2010, so why on earth hasn't it been done yet?
"It makes the area look bad and is a hazard for pedestrians.
"People can just about get by, but mums with double buggies have to go out into the road to get around it which is not good enough.
"We would all like to see the work done. No one knows why it has taken this long."
The manhole, which is near the White Lion pub, is initially understood to have collapsed in December 2010 when a new gas mains was installed in the area.
Barriers were put up to stop people from falling in, but work ground to a prolonged halt.
Mr Anderson added: "Winchcombe is known as quite a scenic town and this kind of thing doesn't do it any favours.
"It will be tourist season soon and we could do without it.
"It just feels like it has been forgotten about."
Residents also said it could also create a hazard for passing motorists, with the barriers encroaching on the narrow road, which is a busy thoroughfare.
Margaret Keir, 78, who lives in North Street, said: "It's a very dangerous stretch of road. If they don't sort it out soon then there will be an accident.
"We get quite big buses coming down the street and they have to brake suddenly because it narrows due to the manhole cover.
"I keep hearing the screech of brakes as buses come to a sudden halt all too often now."
Gloucestershire Highways confirmed the collapsed manhole had been reported to them, but said Severn Trent water company was responsible for carrying out the repair work.
Rachel Grove, a spokeswoman for Severn Trent, said: "We have escalated this and are working to find out why this has taken such a long time. We will be looking to address the matter within the next week."
2 Comments
by tykelip
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 11:55AM
“Rachel Grove, a spokeswoman for Severn Trent, said: "We have escalated this and are working to find out why this has taken such a long time. We will be looking to address the matter within the next week."
escalated = shuffled the pack
working to = thinking about
looking to = going to think about
address = talk about
the matter = the broken manhole
within the next week = within the next week”
by Matt1006
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 10:16AM
“So It's apparently Severn Trent's responsibility, but it collapsed when the new gas main was installed. So if the gas main works caused the problem, then surely it's the responsibility of the contractor doing that work (or British Gas / Transco), not ST? And therein probably lies the reason why it's been left for so long - nobody will take responsibility / blame for the damage, and therefore until that's sorted out, the liability for the repairs will go unresolved.
Maybe the answer is for Glos Highways to make good, and then bill ST and the gas company, and let them then sort it out between themselves (having first paid GH's bill). Heads need banging together between all concerned parties. Whoever does actually make good, I hope GH make sure the works are inspected, and condemned if not done properly.”