People living on a road that no one wants won a competition that meant the dangerous potholes would be filled.
The ECHO covered the problems surrounding Knob Hall Lane in Southport earlier this year, with the road being unadopted by Sefton Council. People living on the road told the ECHO about their fear of the alarming big potholes that plague the quiet road.
Found between Marshside Road and Radnor Drive, the road has been the subject of controversy for years as residents fought for the council to fill in the holes that littered the residential road. Although, due to Sefton Council refusing to take ownership of the road, they had no obligation to restore the road.
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On May 18, Dowhigh, a civil engineering company, along with help from the Daily Express and JCB, relayed the tarmac on the road after it was ranked Britain's worst road for potholes. Gillie Bishop and Jane Noble nominated their road to the Daily Express who were working with JCB to find the “shabbiest street surface” where The Cruncher – JCB’s Pothole Pro machine – would go and dig out all of the potholes ready for repair.
More than 40 potholes were counted on the quarter-mile stretch of road, due to Dowhigh's longstanding relationship with JCB, the company was asked to help. Watching the event were local councillors Sinclair D’Albuquerque and Mike Morris.
Cllr D’Albuquerque said: “What a fantastic gesture for local firm, Dowhigh, to come to the rescue of the residents of Knob Hall Lane, Southport. The issues with their road have been ongoing for decades and Dowhigh’s generous offer to supply tarmac and workers following a competition win by resident, Jane Noble, will improve the road and make it safer for all the users of the lane.
"I would like to pass on my gratitude to them on behalf of the residents,” whilst Mike responded “It was great to spend the day speaking to residents and seeing the works progress. I want to put on record my special thanks to local businesses JCB and Dowhigh for offering to complete these works free of charge.”
MP Damian Moore commented “I salute the Daily Express, JCB, Dowhigh and all residents for this creative solution to a long-standing issue”
Trevor Murray, Dowhigh Director said “We had a team of three laying down the tarmac and we used about 10 tons. Some of the holes were 12cm deep.
"The JCB machine works very quickly and we are just so pleased to get involved and help the people in this street. It’s one of the worst roads for potholes I’ve seen. The residents will see a big improvement. It is a lot safer now.”
After the resurfacing work, the people living along Knob Hall Lane even had a street party to celebrate the long-awaited restoration of their road. Gillie Bishop, one of the residents who applied for the competition wrote to Dowhigh to thank the employees.
The card said: "For the lads of Dowhigh Ltd who sorted the potholes in our lane. It looks like they did such a good job we won’t need them back again.
"Every man in the team was a professional whilst friendly too, they never stopped until they had finished as there loads of potholes to do. From the bottom of my heart I can but truly say they did a tremendous job having worked so hard all day.
"So a big thank you is in order the Dowhigh lads have done us proud as far as pothole filling goes Dowhigh certainly stand out from the crowd.”
