State of the roads

Build the roads better in the first place, stop building them to increase grip, stop spoiling the ship for the sake of ha'porth of tar and do a proper fucking job. it is possible but isn't because authorities see it as a cash saving exercise but it's doomed to failure from the off.

Getting motors off the roads as much as possible would be a start..

I have 40 profile car tyres and always keep the suspension on soft mode as the roads are full of potholes holes.

Councils claim it is the lack of cash.

The real sign of madness regarding roads, is that we evidently can't afford to fix the roads we have, but we keep building new ones... that way leads to an infrastructure crisis and bankruptcy as in some US cities.

The elephant in the room that no-one seems to be discussing is why are there so many uphill roads? Surely if we are to encourage cycling, we need as many roads as possible to be going downhill?

Why do road markings only seem to last a couple of months in some places? Are they using Tippex now?

Why are there so many potholes in the first place?  Are our roads not built to a sufficient standard for the traffic they carry and the weather conditions they experience?

An example: why are bus stops tarmac'd rather than concreted?  There are always huge ruts carved into the road where buses stop, causing the tarmac to move and create a ridge.  Some of them are large enough to be dangerous to traverse on a bike.

Legs11 banging on about monetary greed. Oh the irony given his past posts.

Anyway, back to roads. The worst thing about the current road repair process seems to be this disconnect between teams to do each bit. On my commute a drain had basically collapsed into the road, obviously needed doing but we got the cones up quick enough and then it was about a week before anyone actually turned up to do the work, all the while causing queues every day.

After that crew had finished the coned area and lights stayed for another 4!! days before we returned to normal. 4 days of extra traffic because  lights were up for no reason other than not collecting them.

Basically, a 2 day job turned into an 11 day one.

It isn't just the roads.  The entire infrastructure of the UK is being left to rot whilst the neoconservatives who have power, transfer more and more of the country's wealth to themselves and to the other members of their caste.  The NHS is close to collapse.  The roads are a clear and present danger to health.  The public transport network is only slightly more reliable than Cambodia's.   Crime is at record levels and police don't bother to investigate most of the offences which are reported to them.  The only reason these phenomena aren't getting talked about is that our media organisations are owned by the same people who are stealing from us, or (as is the case with the BBC) have been so cowed by threats of 'regulation' that they're toeing the party line anyway.   

Monetarism - that toxic ideology born in the fascist regimes of South America, imported into Britain in 1979 and foisted on the majority by a at most ten thousand greedy, ultra right-wing bastards, is like a snake around the throat of Britain.  If a snake wraps itself around your throat, what do you do?  You kill the snake.  

Everyone knows what needs to be done, but no one dare say it aloud, because they'll get a visit from the police. 

Roads are so bad (at least near me) that filling the odd pothole is not what is needed.  Full resurfacing (not that awful top dressing) of many roads is the only thing that stands a chance of slowing the rapid deterioration/crumbling.  Slapping some tarmac into one or two of the deeper holes seems rather like putting a kids' sticking plaster on a severed artery.

I would hate to ride on the roads near me in any kind of group.  The only way I feel safe is if I can clearly see the road surface a good 20-50 metres ahead of me and can plan a path through the worst of the surface. 

It's a chore you shouldn't have to bother with but www.fillthathole.org.uk is quite effective at getting repairs done (and can give you evidence to use if you need to make a damages claim in future).

As noted, repairs are often to a poor standard but re-reporting the same spots might eventually lead to a better job.

A road near me was recently excavated down to the original cobbles, or probably more accurately setts, prior to resurfacing.

A local historian reckoned they were about 150 years old and were in great condition, except where they had been dug up by utilities.

Local social media was full of comments to the effect that the setts provided a good durable surface and added to safety by reducing traffic speeds.   I had no problems riding on them.

Sadly they have now been tarmaced over.

They're dreadful here since the big freeze (by softy Southern standards). Down through three layers of patching to what I'd imagine is original 1930s tarmac in some places. Hants Highways seem to be flat out trying to patch them and understandably little rural forest roads aren't a priority. Loving the 32mm tyres I've got on my tourer, although the 25s on the fast bike aren't too bad. For the first time in 40 years of cycling I got simultaneous punctures recently from a lovely flinty pothole.

I'm thinking of buying some spray paint. at least to work on my local roads. 

Agreed.  Bring back Road Tax!

Also, local authorities should hold the utility companies to account- if they dig up the road, then they should have permanent responsibility to make good any surface deterioration resulting from their work.