Lower north shore cyclists warn of a ‘dangerous’ Middle Head cycling route

A GROUP of lower north shore cyclists are concerned authorities are not doing enough to ensure potholes are repaired quickly on Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman.

The “Cycling Goddesses”, pictured last year, after their friend (not pictured) crashed because of a pothole in Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman. They are again warning of the poor state of the road. Picture: Phillip Rogers

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A GROUP of lower north shore cyclists has again raised safety concerns about Chowder Bay Rd potholes, after one of their friends was seriously injured last year.

The cyclists, who call themselves the “Cycling Goddesses”, photographed a large pothole at Middle Head this month.

Cyclist Kay Stammers said authorities repaired potholes more promptly in the months after their friend hit one.

The cyclist no longer rides, mainly because the incident was so traumatic. The woman was hospitalised for weeks.

“The problem is ongoing, however, because the road is in such bad condition and heavy traffic ... exacerbates the situation,” Ms Stammers said.

“So, the potholes which have been appearing in the past few months have not been filled so promptly.

“The authorities must know this is an ongoing problem and take responsibility for checking regularly.”

The cyclists photographed this new pothole in Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman this month. Picture: Supplied

The cyclists, pictured last year, at the old pothole. Picture: Phillip Rogers

Ms Stammers said the new pothole was near the one which caused their friend’s crash last year.

“This is a similar pothole. When the sun is slanting a certain way, and the road is dappled, it can be almost invisible, as it was that day,” she said.

“As the potholes deteriorate, of course, they become deeper and worse.

“This is a really dangerous situation ... an accident waiting to happen.”

An Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) spokeswoman said last week that work on the pothole would be carried out in coming weeks, weather permitting.

“In the photo ... yellow marking paint can be seen around the pothole. This was applied recently to assist contract quoting for the works,” the spokeswoman said.

“OEH carries out pothole repair works on roads in national parks as the need arises, as well as undertaking regular inspections and drainage works.

“Scheduled repair works to 700 sqm of the road were carried out in 2016, as were a number of smaller repair works throughout the last year.

“Local staff have recently completed some minor repair works on Chowder Bay Rd and marked up some of the larger potholes for repairs by contractors.”