In Cornwall, England, the state of the roads has long been a source of frustration for residents. One anonymous motorist, fed up with the lack of action from authorities, decided to take matters into their own hands. They filled a massive pothole on Tanhouse Road and Bodmin Hill in Lostwithiel with cement, providing temporary relief to drivers.
However, this DIY repair sparked a controversy involving the unidentified motorist, the Cornwall Council, and road repair company Cormac. The road had been closed since early April due to drainage issues, but after a month of inaction, the motorist decided to intervene. Their repair briefly reopened the road, only to be closed again by Cormac, who insisted on carrying out the repairs officially.
Now, Cornwall Highways is searching for the individual responsible for the unauthorized repair. They are urging the community to share any information about the motorist. Meanwhile, local councilor Colin Martin sees the pothole as a symbol of the broader deterioration of public services due to underinvestment.
According to Martin, the road closure will remain in effect until Cormac completes the repairs, which could take weeks. He criticizes the budget cuts for road maintenance made by the Conservative-led Cornwall Council, resulting in a surge of potholes across the county.
This incident echoes a similar situation in 2017, where a Toronto resident built a set of park stairs for a community garden at a fraction of the estimated cost provided by the city. However, the city’s response to this independent initiative was not favorable.
The Cornwall resident’s actions highlight the growing frustration among citizens with the state of public services. As the search for the anonymous motorist continues, one thing is clear: the people of Cornwall will no longer tolerate subpar road conditions.
