Dangerous Telham pothole to be repaired - again

Last week the Observer reported how East Sussex County Council could be facing claims worth hundreds of pounds after 11 cars were damaged after striking the same pothole within minutes of each other on January 22.

The bizarre incident unfolded along Hastings Road in Telham, between the Black Horse pub and Crowhurst Park.

Council contractors repaired the pothole two days later.

But a number of people contacted the Observer over the weekend to say the pothole had opened up again - and had claimed more victims.

Motorist Matt Southam said: “Luckily there was no major damage as I was in my truck, but it felt like it fell apart! I couldn’t believe how bad it was having read it was fixed.”

Andy White added: “It’s being caused by water leaking onto the road.

“I’ve been telling them about this for weeks. Now it’s destroyed the road again.

“Motorists won’t get any compensation, as if the council have marked it they don’t have to pay out, even if the car is damaged, as it happened to me.”

Roger Williams, head of highways, said: “Our crews carried out emergency repairs in Hastings Road on January 24 following reports from members of the public.

“Although we are doing our best to deal with potholes, the amount of rain we have had in recent weeks has made carrying out permanent repairs difficult.

“Now that we have been made aware of the further damage, we will carry out more permanent repairs today (Tuesday).

“We would ask motorists who come across potholes to report them to us as soon as possible via www.eastsussex.gov.uk by calling our contact centre on 01323 410051 or via our twitter account @esscroads.”