Petition launched to resurface “dangerous and unsafe” potholed road

A petition to resurface a long-standing “dangerous and unsafe” potholed road has been launched by a local councillor.

Cllr Annette Davies, who represents Gwersyllt West, said she had repeated requests for Wrexham Council’s Highways Department to resurface Summerhill Road near Pendine Park since being elected two years, as had her predecessor Gwenfair Jones.

Gwenfair Jones, who is now chair of Gwersyllt Community Council, has recently written to the Chief Environmental Officer Darren Williams to ask for a health and safety risk assessment to be carried out for everyone using the road, in particular cyclists and motorcyclists.

The stretch of road has been branded “dangerous” and “unsafe” by local residents, who are being forced to drive on the other side of the road to avoid the damage.

Since launching the petition earlier this week more than 150 people (at the time of writing) have given it their support.

One resident who signed the petition wrote: “This road is absolutely horrendous and caused over £1000 worth of damage to my car, followed by another £1000 worth of damage to my husbands car the week after. ”

Another said: “This road is in a shocking state, and is causing so much damage to vehicles.

“Motorists are driving on the wrong side of the road to avoid potholes it’s an accident waiting to happen. ”

A video filmed by a local resident on a bus journey down Summerhill has also been released and described as a ‘4DX cinema experience.”

Cllr Annette Davies said local residents are “frustrated by council inaction.”

“It’s getting beyond a joke. I regularly travel on the bus along Summerhill Road and the entire bus shudders over the potholes,” said Cllr Davies.

“My grand-daughter has compared it to a fairground ride because it’s so bumpy.

“But this is serious – the damage done to vehicles, as well as the danger it poses for cyclists and motorcyclists, on such a busy stretch of road serving Gwersyllt and Summerhill must be costing thousands in compensation claims for the council.

“I know of roads elsewhere in the borough that have been resurfaced to a good standard that weren’t as bad as Summerhill Road so where’s the consistency?

“I challenge any officer or councillor to travel that road and say the road surface is adequate.

“People locally are frustrated by council inaction and, while I understand money is tight, there has to be a level-playing field when it comes to resurfacing roads and people in Gwersyllt don’t feel that applies to this road.

“That’s why I’m inviting people to sign the petition so that I can take it to the lead member responsible for Highways and the Chief Environment Officer.”

Gwersyllt West Councillor Annette Davies said the responses to her new petition (1) calling for resurfacing Summerhill Road confirmed her concerns about the state of the road.

The Plaid Cymru councillor said: “I’ve read the many comments that accompany the petition and the echo the comments I’ve been hearing along with my fellow councillors for many years – this road isn’t fit for purpose.

“Most specifically, it’s dangerous for cyclists and motorcyclists because of the potholes and numerous uneven patches. It’s unsafe for pedestrians and motorists alike because drivers are swerving to avoid potholes.

“There is inevitably a financial cost to motorists due to damage caused. As a regular bus user I’m also aware of the impact is is having on public transport vehicles.

“Perhaps most damning are the numerous comments to say that people just don’t use the road anymore because it’s not safe and is in such poor condition.

“That’s not acceptable as it puts added pressure on other roads. In addition, anyone working or visiting the Pendine Park complex has no choice but to use that road.”

Cllr Davies has also submitted a Freedom of Information request to see how much of the £361,000 compensation paid out by the council in the past two years for highways issues is related to this specific stretch of road.

She added: “There is inevitably a financial cost to motorists due to damage caused. As a regular bus user I’m also aware of the impact is is having on public transport vehicles.

“Perhaps most damning are the numerous comments to say that people just don’t use the road anymore because it’s not safe and is in such poor condition.

“That’s not acceptable as it puts added pressure on other roads. In addition, anyone working or visiting the Pendine Park complex has no choice but to use that road.”

A spokesperson for Wrexham Council said: “We are aware of the condition of this particular road and the problems it is causing to drivers in the area.

“Like all other highway authority areas we have significant funding pressures for our road infrastructure and we are unable to address all the repairs the county’s roads are in need of.

“We are however hopeful that this particular road will be included in this year’s work programme which will be published in the near future.”

The online petition can be signed here and there are paper petitions available in local shops.

Top pic: A section of the road last night.