Residents describe horror 'tracks'

MARGARET Crawley says the potholes in her suburb are the worst she has seen in almost half a century.

Kristy Goldsby and neighbours check out Avocado Heights potholes. Picture: Bruce Thomas

MARGARET Crawley says the potholes in her suburb are the worst she has seen in almost half a century.

“I have not seen roads like these in 45 years,” the Avocado Heights resident said.

“You can't even dodge the pot-holes on Smiths Rd.

“In Skinner Cl, everywhere the garbage trucks stops is hashed and one area is broken up so badly it's down to the base.

"The bitumen is just spread over gravel.

“I have been told the roads were built 35 years ago and are not up to today's standards.

“This area is very sadly neglected.”

Coffs Harbour City Council's director of city services, Ben Lawson, said in the 2010/11 financial year they had rehabilitated about a kilometre of pavement on Lake Russell Dr.

“Works are planned this coming financial year on Smiths Rd, between Lake Russell Dr and Hammond Dr; on Hammond Dr between Smiths Road and Lake Russell Dr; and on the affected areas of Skinners Cl,” Mr Lawson said.

“This work is scheduled for September/October 2011.

“Furthermore the areas that were inundated during the natural disaster of June 15, 2011, will be subject to funding from the RTA as part of natural disaster relief and this will assist in budgeting the necessary works.

“Areas for work will be targeted so that the funds available will be spent as effectively as possible.

“The Leighton Fulton Hogan Joint Venture partners are responsible to reinstate from the highway to the intersection of Smiths Rd and Lake Russell Dr.

“As part of that work there will be some realigning of local roads accessing the highway.”

Originally published as Residents describe horror 'tracks'