Dangerous potholes spark call for action

The state government and councils are being urged to do more to address the “out of control” potholes on Victorian roads.

Pothole complaints have surged by 300 per cent in the past year, with motorists calling on the state government and councils to “urgently fix” damaged roads.

Data exclusively obtained by the Saturday Herald Sun from Snap, Send, Solve shows there were 1326 pothole complaints in October this year, compared to 331 the previous year.

The app allows people to directly send a photo of an issue to the responsible council or authority.

It can also be revealed Cardinia Council’s complaints about potholes in June, July and August reports were almost double compared to last year.

Lisa Dawson wants potholes in Pakenham fixed. Picture: Wayne Taylor

The Saturday Herald Sun has also received dozens of complaints from motorists about roads in Cardinia, Casey, Knox and the Yarra Ranges, with residents saying they are “furious” over a lack of action from authorities to fix the issue.

Motorist, Lisa Dawson, who was left more than $2500 out of pocket after her front and back tyres were punctured and “shredded” due to the damage from a 300mm deep pothole on Bald Hill Rd, Pakenham, said she was “furious” at the council for not fixing the issue.

“The pothole was very deep and there were no warning signs on the road, there are so many potholes in Cardinia including Racecourse and Koo Wee Rup roads, it’s out of control,” she said.

“The council continues to ignore the issue and I am so frustrated because there are so many people whose tyres keep getting damaged.

“Pakenham has become the pothole capital of Melbourne, the roads must be urgently fixed.”

Another motorist, Steve, whose tyres were also punctured on Bald Hill Rd in Pakenham earlier this year, said he was frustrated the issue had been going on for years.

“I’m seeing Facebook posts daily about tyres being punctured and the complaints are falling on deaf ears,” he said.

“I had more than $2000 worth of damage to my tyres, they’re clearly third-world roads.”

A resident, from Hampton Park, said his two tyres were also “blown out” due to a large pothole on Shrives Rd, Hampton Park.

“The impact was just awful, my front and rear tyres had completely blown out. I can’t believe the state of the roads in Casey, it’s just awful,” he said.

A Facebook group dedicated to the “Potholes Of Cardinia Shire”, has more than 1500 angry residents sharing images of potholes around the community.

Some of the potholes in Cardinia.

Tyres are being damaged by the potholes.

One member of the group wrote: “How about you start spending the money we pay you on fixing the roads? It’s dangerous, your people are screaming at you, yet you do nothing.”

A Cardinia Council spokeswoman said the council had written to the state government asking for action and a reduction in the delay in the completion of repairs to defects in the state owned and managed arterial road network.

“The extremely wet conditions that we’ve seen throughout winter and continuing into spring, have contributed to a significant number of defects around Council’s road network,” she said.

“Council is working to rectify road defects on council managed roads as quickly as we are able.”

A Department of Transport spokesman said recent heavy rainfall across the state has caused significant damage to roads.

“As we start our recovery process we’re working around the clock to deliver repairs where they’re needed most,” he said

“We’re out every day inspecting roads, repairing potholes and clearing hazards – making sure our roads are safe for everyone who uses them in Pakenham and right across Victoria.”