Glasgow - Potholes in and Around Glasgow
Here's an interesting article from Glasgow Live highlighting a Facebook group which has been set up to pressurise the authorities into fixing the city's potholes.
Jamie Canavan set up the page two weeks ago and he has been inundated with enquiries since.
Good for him, I say, more power to his elbow!
The question is are the city's politicians listening, or are they too busy promising free handouts to people who don't need the extra help?
Potholes in and around Glasgow: Meet the activist using social media to clean up city roads
Thousands have flocked to lorry driver Jamie Canavan's group in the last few weeks - proving that it's a problem no matter which corner of Glasgow you live in.
By - glasgowlive
Jamie Canavan created the Facebook group after hitting a huge pothole and damaging his car.(Image: Jamie Canavan)
A Glasgow man is using social media to help improve the state of the city's roads.
The Potholes in and Around Glasgow Facebook group was created by Jamie Canavan just two weeks ago and has seen a huge response, with thousands joining in a bid to rid Glasgow of its potholes.
Jamie, a lorry driver from Shettleston, was motivated to set up the group after his car was severely damaged after striking a pothole in December last year.
Speaking to Glasgow Live, he said: "When I started the group, I didn't think it would take off the way it has.
"To begin with, I was reporting every pothole, but when it became so popular, it was too much work. So now we report the potholes that are so severe that they would cause damage to the car or could be dangerous.
Where are the worst potholes in Glasgow? Let us know in the comments section below
"We are currently at around 1,400 members and the group is two weeks old - it's pretty amazing to see how quickly it's growing. People clearly feel the need for a group like this."
Jamie has said that while his short term goal is to report and fix the worst of the potholes in the city, in the longterm, he would like to see widespread improvement to the roads.
A Glasgow man is using social media to help improve the state of the city's roads.
The Potholes in and Around Glasgow Facebook group was created by Jamie Canavan just two weeks ago and has seen a huge response, with thousands joining in a bid to rid Glasgow of its potholes.
Jamie, a lorry driver from Shettleston, was motivated to set up the group after his car was severely damaged after striking a pothole in December last year.
Speaking to Glasgow Live, he said: "When I started the group, I didn't think it would take off the way it has.
"To begin with, I was reporting every pothole, but when it became so popular, it was too much work. So now we report the potholes that are so severe that they would cause damage to the car or could be dangerous.
Where are the worst potholes in Glasgow? Let us know in the comments section below
"We are currently at around 1,400 members and the group is two weeks old - it's pretty amazing to see how quickly it's growing. People clearly feel the need for a group like this."
Jamie has said that while his short term goal is to report and fix the worst of the potholes in the city, in the longterm, he would like to see widespread improvement to the roads.
"The state of the roads is not the best," he said.
"My main goal is not just to report on the potholes but to try and improve the road conditions around Glasgow in general. I just want it to be a bit safer - and it's not just for cars and drivers, it's for pedestrians too.
"Keeping track of it all does take quite a bit of time, but I don't mind if people are benefitting."
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A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Any potholes reported to us will be properly assessed by one of our roads inspectors and prioritised appropriately for repair.
“Our inspectors also undertake proactive checks of the city’s road network on a routine and on-going basis.
“In the early part of any year it is normal to see an increase in potholes and other faults as the impact of winter weather on the roads surface takes effect.
“Weather conditions in winter this year were particularly harsh with sustained periods of sub-zero temperatures and significant rain fall along with heavy snow at times.
“The covid pandemic has also affected how we can deploy our resources for roads maintenance with earlier lockdowns ceasing work on anything other than the most essential repairs.
“But we do have squads now working both day and night shifts to ensure reports of faults with the road surface are being dealt with as quickly as possible.
“We are also working closely with our contractors to develop a programme of first time permanent repairs that is being implemented across the city.
“As we move through Spring and the planned easing of covid restrictions, we are hopeful that road users will begin to see a significant improvement in road conditions.”
