One holey mess

Published 17 Jan 2012 10:00

FED-up drivers are being asked to remain patient as the council looks to tackle the area's pothole problem.

Last year, countless roads throughout Dumbarton and the Vale was ravaged with potholes as the big freeze set in and caused extensive damage to driving surfaces.

Although the weather has not been as bad this year, numerous residents have been in touch with the Reporter to complain about the state of the roads.

This year the damage has been caused by the recent wet weathe, which has increased surface water on roads leading to erosion.

Jack McAulay, Roads and Transportation manager for West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC), said: "The wet weather has not been as severe as the cold, but we have been busy dealing with the floods and fallen trees and debris.

"Following the recent period of severe weather we have had to concentrate on the clean-up but we will catch up. Last year we had a different scenario with the cold weather affecting the roads, but this year it's been the heavy rain and as a result we have still had the surface breaking up.

"Having now got past the recent severe weather we have reverted back to our normal duties of repairing road defects. We have had a considerable amount of surface water and we have been dealing with that."

In response WDC has instigated special 'find and fix' teams who drive round the area and seek out potholes on the roads and repair them.

And they are appealing to residents to flag up any problems that they miss to ensure that the roads remain in a good condition.

Mr McAulay added: "We have doubled the squads on road defects and we have four squads two in each location area Dumbarton and Clydebank. Next week we are going to get an additional squad.

"We have also had the 'Find and Fix' guys inspect the roads, find defects and repair them."

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 17 Jan 12

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