Darcy Lever - The Pot Holes - 2

 

 

Bolton News Article - Wednesday 12th February

Darcy Lever pothole hell may end if new cycle route goes ahead

 

 

Neil Bourn, front, with residents, and the potholes in Lower Darcy Street

A new cycleway could pave the way for repairs on a potholed road. 

Potholes in Lower Darcy Street, Darcy Lever, are dangerous and causing total chaos according to residents. However, the road is unadopted, meaning Bolton Council is not obliged to carry out repairs. 

The council has vowed to fix the road, but only if plans for a new cycleway are approved. 

The road is a direct access point for five other streets — Back Higher Darcy Street, Clayton Avenue, Clayton Street, Higher Darcy Street and Leaf Street. 

John Connor, aged 69, of Higher Darcy Street, said: “If people drive along Lower Darcy Street, it’s total chaos — coming back at night is horrendous. 

“This neighbourhood is a forgotten zone. Why can’t we have Lower Darcy Street adopted? There doesn’t seem to be much regard for community safety.” 

Neil Bourn, aged 45, of Clayton Avenue, claimed the potholes caused between £600 and £700 worth of damage to the suspension of his car. 

He said: “This road has been an issue for years. When you drive down this street, you’ve got to almost grind to a halt to get past these potholes. 

“We want the council to come and fix the road, but if they then build a big cycleway over it, it will just make things worse, particularly for the people who live there.” 

Alan Gaskell, aged 66, of Clayton Street, said: “It’s very dangerous. Some of these potholes are lethal.” 

The Bolton East Cycle Way will run from Gorses Road, along the New House Farm playing fields in Breightmet down to the old railway line, along the Bury boundary and inside green belt land. 

The path, which was approved this month, will be shared by pedestrians and cyclists, with the council also looking to create link sections in Harpford Drive, Harpford Close and Willand Drive. 

A second application is due in the summer, which, if approved would take the route over the Darcy Lever viaduct and back to Gorses Road. 

A council spokesman said: “As we are looking to put in a cycleway over a section of Lower Darcy Street, we will be looking to repair the whole length of the road. 

“The cycleway is subject to planning approval and the planning application is due to be submitted in the summer. 

“If it is approved, work would be likely to take place later in the year on repairing the road.” 
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Since Bolton News have omitted the crucial point from this article, I have sent them a further letter on the subject as follows:-

   

Dear Sir,

Wednesday’s  article on the Darcy Lever potholes states that “the road is unadopted, meaning Bolton Council is not obliged to carry out repairs.”

The law states that the responsibility for maintenance of an unadopted road lies with the ‘Frontagers’-  ie the householders whose houses front onto the road. This responsibilty is usually laid out in their leases.

Unfortunately, there are no houses fronting on to Lower Darcy St and as far as I can ascertain there never have been.

The responsibility for maintenance must therefore revert to and lie with the Freeholder. A quick check with the Land Registry shows this to be – Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council.

So, come on Bolton Council, accept your responsibility and get the thing sorted instead of fobbing off the local residents with ‘Jam Tomorrow – Maybe’

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

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PS - I note that Eric (The Hole) Hyde managed to push himself to the front of the piccy.  

Promoted by Edith D Sexton, 69 Chester Ave, BL3 1XE on behalf of  Paul Richardson, 24 Ripon Close BL3 1EQ