District Cllr says BCC is 'burying head in the potholes' (From Bucks Free Press)

I personally think that the current system of "you call BCC" and tell them where the potholes are... is a terrible system for repairing pot-holes.

I agree entirely with Cllr Hanif, the roads in and around Wycombe are some of the worst possibly in the Country.

This in my mind is because BCC do the very legal minimum that they are supposed to do - to scrape by and tick a box or two.

It still leaves a lot of areas not fixed as many people will not (and should not) be unpaid inspectors...

It's ironic and laughable that in this day and age that the very people that PAY out of our pockets are the same ones that are then responsible to being proactive and informing the Council where the pot-holes are!

It should be the Council that proactively go out and look where they are - then they should repair them - but not with a man with a bucket doing a temp and poor job as it seems as they have done in the past.

Also they should go out and see what street lights aren’t working either - instead of also relying on the general public to do their work for them UNPAID.

It's time that BCC under this Conservative mob sorting this out once and for all instead of squirreling the money away in Icelandic banks.

We pay our taxes - fix our roads!

As a cyclist I find the state of Wycombe's roads absolutely shocking. I've noticed - particularly along the West Wycombe road and through the town centre - most of the deepest potholes are in the left hand 1m or so, exactly the space where people cycle. I reported them to the borough council but was told they weren't serious enough (this was about a year ago). It certainly feels like the council doesn't really want people to take up cycling. I think it's currently too dangerous to cycle on these roads as they are.

Dont forget Mr Tett, 2nd May 2013 is approaching.

Riding my motorbike around is also very dangerous, I totally sympathise with all cyclists!

It's not right that as a Council they would rather be re-active and focus on the legal side rather than being proactive and getting all of these holes fixed.

Cllr Hanif, cheap political point scoring. How timely seeing you are a potential candidate for the upcoming county council elections for the Labour party, with your side kick Mr Ali!

You cannot expect county councillors to report every little issue. The residents need to take some responsibility in reporting problems to the council and if then they are not resolved you take the matter further. Some people expect to be spoon fed all their lives.

Perhaps if we did start using their heads to fill the holes???
It might do a better job than the black blamanche they currently use...
More roads need proper repair and resurfacing rather than the patch and go tactics. I also ride a motorbike and I reckon the roads have never been so dangerous to use.
I used to report potholes online but got blacklisted my emails get bounced back now.

If you think their record on fixing potholes is bad you should try getting a blocked drain or gully fixed. I reported a blocked drain near my GP surgery back in July 2011. Plenty of sick, elderly and disabled people use that area. Bucks County Council have been faffing around ever since. In November 2012 they said it was a "priority" but two months later the situation is still the same. I am not sure if they are incompetent or just don't like me.

Voyeur wrote:
If you think their record on fixing potholes is bad you should try getting a blocked drain or gully fixed. I reported a blocked drain near my GP surgery back in July 2011. Plenty of sick, elderly and disabled people use that area. Bucks County Council have been faffing around ever since. In November 2012 they said it was a "priority" but two months later the situation is still the same. I am not sure if they are incompetent or just don't like me.

Almost certainly it will be "in the computer" somewhere!
~
BCC seems to think that the solution is to record it - the solution is to sack the computer.

I forgot to mention that I reported the pothole on Oakridge Road, despite Cllr Hanif doing NOTHING; probably because he felt it would be politically disadvantageous….S
HAME ON YOU!

Guess what Cllr Hanif? It was repaired within 24 hours. If you report it, it will get repaired.

For you information Cllr Hanif, the reason for this was due to recent utility work on Oakridge Road and NOT poor resurfacing. Get your facts rights…………..

Darren Hayday wrote:
I personally think that the current system of "you call BCC" and tell them where the potholes are... is a terrible system for repairing pot-holes. I agree entirely with Cllr Hanif, the roads in and around Wycombe are some of the worst possibly in the Country. This in my mind is because BCC do the very legal minimum that they are supposed to do - to scrape by and tick a box or two. It still leaves a lot of areas not fixed as many people will not (and should not) be unpaid inspectors... It's ironic and laughable that in this day and age that the very people that PAY out of our pockets are the same ones that are then responsible to being proactive and informing the Council where the pot-holes are! It should be the Council that proactively go out and look where they are - then they should repair them - but not with a man with a bucket doing a temp and poor job as it seems as they have done in the past. Also they should go out and see what street lights aren’t working either - instead of also relying on the general public to do their work for them UNPAID. It's time that BCC under this Conservative mob sorting this out once and for all instead of squirreling the money away in Icelandic banks. We pay our taxes - fix our roads!

Are you still hanging around like a bad smell? The view must be too nice from your ivory tower for you to move on. It's always someone else's responsibility or fault as far as you are concerned isn't it? What's wrong with people reporting issues?

If BCC employed inspectors, how often would they need to inspect the roads - daily, weekly, monthly? And given the number of miles of roads in Bucks, how many inspectors would you need to in order for it to be effective? It's all well and good deciding that your hair-brained sheme is the solution until you actually think about things practically and realistically.

Would you like anything else? the moon on a stick perhaps?

The real culprit here is Transport for Bucks (was ever an organisation so mis-named!).

We have had a campaign involving dozens of residents to have the disgraceful state of Haw Lane in Bledlow Ridge seen to, including various visits from the County Councillor, who by his own admission is powerless in the face of TfB. In his analogy all he can do is take throw-ins, he can't score a goal.

If TfB say no, then that's it, ultimately it is impossible to engage with anyone with power. The local TfB rep agrees the road needs doing, but has no say. Ridiculously, TfB resurfaced a portion of the road that didn't need doing and ever since have acted like a spoiled teenager, unwilling to accept their mistake or to enter into a discussion. We can have as many elections as we like, but until TfB become accountable it's all a waste of time.

Judge 2 wrote:
I forgot to mention that I reported the pothole on Oakridge Road, despite Cllr Hanif doing NOTHING; probably because he felt it would be politically disadvantageous….S HAME ON YOU! Guess what Cllr Hanif? It was repaired within 24 hours. If you report it, it will get repaired. For you information Cllr Hanif, the reason for this was due to recent utility work on Oakridge Road and NOT poor resurfacing. Get your facts rights…………..

Steady on Judge 2 or should I dare say Cllr Mohammed Zahir. Why do people hide behind fake or made up id's - gutless and shameless individuals.

The fact that you choose to use the BFP's readers comment mechanism to have cheap digs at district councillor's who may or not be any better than you, is a sure sign that you are not worthy of representing that electorate that voted you in. Rise above and show us what you can really do rather than walking around looking smug with - 'Oh I am so better than you' etched on your face.

I consider myself to be a fair person and believe in never passing comment without having given anybody the opportunity to prove themselves. But having read your comments time and time again, simply bores me.

Why is it that most Tory County Councillors are consistent with failing their electorate time and time again.

Judge 2 I think that shame is on you this time and not Cllr Hanif, the fact that he will take your seat on May 2 is worrying you toom much i'd say!

By the way your other half Cllr Mallen may aswell enjoy here WDC chairmanship as I understand that she will be giving up two posts this year, Chairman and BCC seat.

And please don't overload your brain in trying to guess who I might be as I do not have the same problem as you of hiding behind my ID. A Wycombe man I am and Bill Potter is my name, should you ever need it.

Good day!

Ouch!!!

Good for you Bill.

I would just like to make comment on Cllr Mallen's remark 'Cllr Wendy Mallen, who represents the Castlefield area for the county, said: “We want to work with our residents to make sure potholes are repaired quickly'

Don't keep them your street's best kept secret - let us know where they are and we'll do our best to deal with them speedily.”

Does this woman suffer from amenisia as I recall Brunel Road was reported more times than Cllr Mallen has vistied the hairdresser (which is almost everyday), it was even broadcasted on TV - so was it ever repaired? NO is the answer! Please don't preach what you have made a promise of never practising.

I used to live in Spearing Road before I moved to Cumbrian Way and I must say that I was pleased to see the district councillors in both wards were very active in holding surgeries regularly. They even came around every few months just to say Hi, how friendly is that. I have spoken with Cllr's from both wards and found them very polite and helpful. Never did they promise what they could not deliver. Yet we find most County Councillors (in this case from one main party) always blowing their trumpets and doing NOTHING. the only time I knew who my County Councilllors were, was a few months before election time. Getting yourself photographed at events and making speeches at Dinner parties will not get you re-elected, mark my words.

Cllrs' Mallen and Mohammed, think again before you knock on my door for support.

''If you know a better 'ole, go to it ''

Topical comment from an erstwhile District resident

Judge 2 - Jog on Lad...I think you have lost the plot!

If you got a pothole repaired in 24 hours, then well done, I can organise a medal if you wish to be recognised for your achievement???

I have known Cllr Hanif for 20 years+ and he has always done a superb job.

OUR job as a community including Cllrs is to bring the potholes to the councils attention so lets focus on that instead of trying to damage a Cllrs name!!!

Lets ALL work together!

I suggest Cllr Hanif concentrates on sorting out the District problems he is responsible for in Castlefield before dreaming of higher places.

If he can't get them sorted what chance has he got of making a difference at County Hall?

wycombeman wrote:

Judge 2 wrote:
I forgot to mention that I reported the pothole on Oakridge Road, despite Cllr Hanif doing NOTHING; probably because he felt it would be politically disadvantageous….S HAME ON YOU! Guess what Cllr Hanif? It was repaired within 24 hours. If you report it, it will get repaired. For you information Cllr Hanif, the reason for this was due to recent utility work on Oakridge Road and NOT poor resurfacing. Get your facts rights…………..

Steady on Judge 2 or should I dare say Cllr Mohammed Zahir. Why do people hide behind fake or made up id's - gutless and shameless individuals.

The fact that you choose to use the BFP's readers comment mechanism to have cheap digs at district councillor's who may or not be any better than you, is a sure sign that you are not worthy of representing that electorate that voted you in. Rise above and show us what you can really do rather than walking around looking smug with - 'Oh I am so better than you' etched on your face.

I consider myself to be a fair person and believe in never passing comment without having given anybody the opportunity to prove themselves. But having read your comments time and time again, simply bores me.

Why is it that most Tory County Councillors are consistent with failing their electorate time and time again.

Judge 2 I think that shame is on you this time and not Cllr Hanif, the fact that he will take your seat on May 2 is worrying you toom much i'd say!

By the way your other half Cllr Mallen may aswell enjoy here WDC chairmanship as I understand that she will be giving up two posts this year, Chairman and BCC seat.

And please don't overload your brain in trying to guess who I might be as I do not have the same problem as you of hiding behind my ID. A Wycombe man I am and Bill Potter is my name, should you ever need it.

Good day!

There are alot of these "fake id's" on here, and you can always tell virtually sometimes who the person is.

To me, the biggest give aways are the Risborough Councillors.

Its been known that the roads in and around High Wycombe have been deteriorating for a number of years along with all the other services from BCC. Clearly there are few left working at BCC with the right experience to know when any job have been carried out to a good standard. As others have said. BCC have become a tick box organisation with little regard for their real responsibility and the money they continue to waste at all levels!
They need to employ experienced people at all levels rather than overload the few they have left.

The road damage is a danger to all who use road, cars, and the public. It is the state of our roads that has become a joke. I would be embarrassed to work for the highways these days. Please repair these roads before someone gets hurt. Public safety should be number one priority. The problems will not go away by blaming each other and no matter which political party we are all extremely disappointed that our roads are left in such a bad state.

a colleague asked cllr Hanif to sort his WDC council tax out and ended up with £3,000.00 higher tax bill after than before he got involved !! he then wouldn't answer phone calls ! where did cllr Hanif get his head stuck ? we need more cllrs like this - NOT !!

Wycombe Resident 2, how reliable is your information? Well you shouldn’t believe everyrthing you hear. It's not wise to say something like this without any hard evidence.

Wycomberesident2 - oops looks like this is all getting political by people making comments/allegations whilst hiding behind fake names again! You are obviously another Cllr or even Mr Zahir again (not difficult to make a new name up is it), judging by yr "colleague" comments.
Lets just stick to the potholes that are not being repaired and leave the point scoring to your debate chambers and see whether you are man enough to say things without aliases...
and before you comment on me - i dont know any one involved here and am not involve in politics...just have a gripe with people like yourselves reaching about comments which you should be sorting out, rather than attacking people who make comments against the lack of results coming out of your offices!!

preaching about comments.......

smuggles wrote:

Darren Hayday wrote:
I personally think that the current system of "you call BCC" and tell them where the potholes are... is a terrible system for repairing pot-holes. I agree entirely with Cllr Hanif, the roads in and around Wycombe are some of the worst possibly in the Country. This in my mind is because BCC do the very legal minimum that they are supposed to do - to scrape by and tick a box or two. It still leaves a lot of areas not fixed as many people will not (and should not) be unpaid inspectors... It's ironic and laughable that in this day and age that the very people that PAY out of our pockets are the same ones that are then responsible to being proactive and informing the Council where the pot-holes are! It should be the Council that proactively go out and look where they are - then they should repair them - but not with a man with a bucket doing a temp and poor job as it seems as they have done in the past. Also they should go out and see what street lights aren’t working either - instead of also relying on the general public to do their work for them UNPAID. It's time that BCC under this Conservative mob sorting this out once and for all instead of squirreling the money away in Icelandic banks. We pay our taxes - fix our roads!

Are you still hanging around like a bad smell? The view must be too nice from your ivory tower for you to move on. It's always someone else's responsibility or fault as far as you are concerned isn't it? What's wrong with people reporting issues?

If BCC employed inspectors, how often would they need to inspect the roads - daily, weekly, monthly? And given the number of miles of roads in Bucks, how many inspectors would you need to in order for it to be effective? It's all well and good deciding that your hair-brained sheme is the solution until you actually think about things practically and realistically.

Would you like anything else? the moon on a stick perhaps?

BCC employ road inspectors (qualifications unknown), although the standard of the roads has just as obviously continued to depreciate since they were employed - perhaps it's because they drive around all day disagreeing with reported problems or measuring the depth of the holes and decorating round them. Other tasks are to report "dumped" cars, useless, damaged road signs (not fix them), etc. In considering vehicle cost, fuel cost, communications cost, paint cost and wages, one can only wonder at the total of maintaining such a "service", and whether it might just be cheaper to repair the roads!
~
The man with the bucket who was dispensed with over quarter of a century ago in favour of a computer, did a better job than the current repairers because he knew what he was doing.
~
Such skills have been lost, but computer programmers and engineers are paid lots of money while failing to achieve the objective of keeping the roads safe to drive on!!
~
Where did it go wrong?

I notice that the crater on the pedestrian crossing by Marks & Spencer has been filled in finally!!

The easiest way to get the roads improved in your area may be to have a County Councillor in your community, obviously they will see the potholes and poor condition and have it repaired promptly. In the mean time take care and avoid 'road damage', BCC reserves are running low I hear, under £500 million. May be a county council could verify this.

Wycombe Resident 2, You have gone quiet, have you said too much, what happend to your friend about the extra costs with the council tax??

Nice electioneering Cllr Mallen, working with the residents! is that why one stretch of road in the county is now signed 'failing road surface' even after 'BAD ROADS for BUCKS' received 150 plus complaints from residents in the last 24 months!! Cllrs please open your eye & come back to the real world. The election can't come soon enough to save the counties road infrastructure, but hey Wycombe will have a waste of money centre at Handy Cross.

The moment that you leave Bucks and travel into counties such as Oxford and Nottingham you can see and feel the difference in the road surfaces, the reduction in the pot holes and over all better management.
Maybe we should transfer the management of our roads out side the county. After all we have given most of our Hospital services and Council Housing away why not he roads as well.

Where are you thou Wycombe Resident 2...?

I hope you are not trying to fix a pothole yourself, but if you are, can you possibly fix one outside my house!