An Edinburgh woman is leading a fightback against potholes that are plaguing road users across the capital.
Nicola, resident of Roseburn, grew up in the city and moved back in 2018 only to be shocked at the state of the streets. She told Edinburgh Live how she reports two potholes a day while walking her two dogs Hebe and Scout.
She flags any holes she sees on Twitter, tagging in the City of Edinburgh Council, to spread awareness of the dangers of the craters and get them sorted. Edinburgh Live met with Nicola at a scarred and punctured roundabout where Balgreen Road and St Stevenson Drive meet.
READ MORE - Edinburgh locals gutted at loss of 'vital' Post Office as store set to close
Nicola said: “I’ve become a do-gooder and unless people take action nothing seems to happen. Every trip I try to record whilst I’m cycling, walking, driving. I try to record two potholes to see if action is done.
“I realised that I probably need to get a life but I think it’s really important as a safety issue for cyclists, I think it’s terrible that drivers are having to concentrate on the road infront of them rather than the cyclists at the side of them or pedestrians who are likely crossing.
“I estimate that it is almost a metre wide across the carriageway and abut 40cm width but depth wise it’s go to be 10cm deep at it’s worst point and around it is crumbling away.”
Nicola, who was on her way to Saughton Park when she initially clocked the latest hole, added: "In my opinion due to shoddy repairs when utilities have come in and either the council will need to say they will fill every hole or at least need to monitor any works that are done with utilities because this is what is destroying their laying.”
Edinburgh is currently experiencing a plethora of potholes blamed on bad weather. Drivers have been reporting tyre blow-outs while cyclists have warned of near misses.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We were made aware of this pothole today and one of our inspectors has been down to Stevenson Road to inspect it. We have now raised an action for the defect to be repaired.
“Our roads team work extremely hard within a very limited budget to make sure our roads are repaired as quickly as possible – last year we repaired over 22,000 potholes and road defects.
“Of course we appreciate the frustration road defects like potholes can cause, but it’s essential that we direct limited resources where needed, so our roads continue to be usable and safe. I acknowledge that road maintenance in Edinburgh is underfunded, and I hope to work with other political parties to address this in the coming budget.”
READ MORE:
Edinburgh weather as 'days of snow' expected with sub zero temperatures
Blind Edinburgh woman creates performing arts group to help 'break down barriers'
Edinburgh Airport confirmed as part of Forth freeport with 50,000 jobs predicted
Edinburgh IKEA launch 'romantic' Valentine's Day movie marathon for couples
American in Edinburgh describes first ever NHS experience as medication runs out
