Gina Heslop
In Cornwall, England, the condition of the roads is a common concern for residents. Recently, a giant pothole on Tanhouse Road and Bodmin Hill in the town of Lostwithiel became a particular problem. The pothole had been causing issues for a while, but no official repairs had been made. Frustrated with the lack of action, an anonymous motorist decided to take matters into their own hands. Over the first weekend in May, this individual filled the pothole with cement, providing temporary relief for drivers.
However, this do-it-yourself solution led to some trouble. The road had officially been closed by the Cornwall Council at the beginning of April due to ongoing drainage problems. The council had planned to fix the road but had not yet begun work.
When the motorist filled the pothole, it allowed the road to be briefly reopened. But shortly after, Cormac, the road repair company responsible for the area, closed the road again, stating that the repair needed to be done properly by their team.
Now, Cornwall Highways is trying to find out who the anonymous motorist is. They have asked the community to help identify the person responsible for the unauthorized repair. Colin Martin, a Cornwall councilor representing the area, expressed his concerns about the situation.
He believes the pothole and the motorist’s actions are symbols of the broader problems facing public services due to a lack of funding. Mr. Martin explained that the road would remain closed until Cormac can complete the necessary repairs. However, this could take weeks because Cormac is currently focused on fixing smaller potholes on other roads that are still open.
Mr. Martin also criticized the recent budget cuts made by the Conservatives in charge of Cornwall Council. These cuts have reduced the funds available for road maintenance, leading to a significant increase in potholes across the county.
This incident in Cornwall reminds people of a similar event in Toronto in 2017. Back then, a local resident built a set of stairs for a community garden at a fraction of the cost the city had estimated. However, the city did not approve of the resident’s independent actions, just as Cornwall Highways is not happy with the motorist’s recent actions.
In both cases, the individuals took matters into their own hands because they were frustrated with the slow pace of government action. Their efforts highlight the struggles that communities face when public services are underfunded or delayed.
