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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Helen Kreft & Graeme Murray

Frustrated motorist spray paints swear word next to massive pothole

A frustrated motorist sprayed a swear word next to massive pothole.

The reaction was in response to a giant crater of a pothole which left roads chiefs clear about his feelings on the matter.

The spray paint addition told workers to get the road in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, fixed and he didn't mince his words,

StaffordshireLive reports that Barry Martin spotted the straight-talking white markings around a large pothole.

The crumbling crater appears to be at the side of one lane near double yellow lines.

White paint has been sprayed around it and the words "FFS fix it" have been sprayed alongside it.

Barry Martin spotted white markings around a large pothole (Stoke Sentinel/BPM Media)

"FFS" is a common abbreviation for a series of expletives used to express frustration.

The message for Staffordshire County Council to fix the pothole is, Mr Martin says, an indication it has been there some time.

He said: "Frustration is boiling over about potholes not being repaired fast enough in Burton.

"This one is in Shobnall Road and there is another the same in Derby Street."

Mr Martin confirmed the pothole had still not been fixed yesterday.

The authority has confirmed an inspection had taken on the road and tasks have been raised.

David Williams, the council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We have a huge road network here in Staffordshire, with around 6,000km of roads and our crews fix around 30,000 potholes each year.

"This year we are also investing an extra £15.5m on fixing our roads on top of a £50 million proposed investment in major projects, maintenance and local improvements.

"All reported issues are inspected as soon as possible and assessed for their severity.

"Any defect which poses an immediate risk is dealt with as a priority. Lesser priority potholes are dealt with when resources are available.

"People should report highways issues on the MyStaffs App or at www.staffordshire.gov.uk."

The Mirror told how a man in New Zealand who was frustrated about potholes made rude drawings next to them.

Geoff Upson spent three years painting phalluses around potholes in a bid to highlight the plight of his local roads.

He decided to take matters into his own hands having complained to Auckland Transport about the dangerous potholes more than 20 times.

The road safety campaigner became increasingly frustrated when he received no reply, and decided to start highlighting the potholes by painting penises around them.

In the last three years, Geoff reckons he’s drawn more than 100 pothole penises, and recently went back to some of his old artwork to brighten up the faded green paint.

Before that he had never been in trouble over the paintings, however, he was recently contacted by the police, after a member of the public complained about one of his pieces.

The officer told him he would be speaking to Auckland Transport over possible repercussions he could face as a result of the paintings.

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