Here we go again!

Cars on Lees Road during the third resurfacing attempt in October (2010).

Tension resurfaces on the road of despair

IF at first you don’t succeed try again. And again. And again.

A 300-yard stretch of Lees Road in Clarksfield is being ripped up and replaced for the fourth time in only seven months.

Motorists were furious when the section, between Moorhey Street and Brewerton Road, was resurfaced three times between August and October last year.

Council chiefs said they were not satisfied with the material used and twice ordered Surrey-based contractors CEMEX to start again.

The third attempt at resurfacing was finished towards the end of last year but council officers are still not satisfied that the work is up to scratch and questions have been raised over the durability and quality.

The fourth round of repair work will be carried out on Sunday, April 3 and Sunday, April 10.

One furious motorist, who drives the route daily to get to work, said: “This is just getting ridiculous now. To get it wrong once is forgivable but to have to do the work four times is just inexcusable. The road surface is left in a horrendous state while the work is going on and the raised drain covers make it awful to drive on. There’s only so much my tyres and suspension can take. It’s really dangerous and causes major hold ups as everyone has to drive slowly.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Labour spokesman for regeneration and environment, said: “I have been raising concerns about this stretch of road for a while as the quality of the resurfacing is not up to standard. Instead of doing cosmetic work to patch up the holes, it needs sorting properly. It is a sign of incompetence and poor planning with complete lack of foresight.

“I hope that lessons are learned this time. Unfortunately, it seems its the motorists who are having to learn the hard way.”

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “I understand drivers will be frustrated and we share their sentiments as this is the fourth time we have had to close this stretch of carriageway and carry out resurfacing work.

“Over the winter months the council and the contractors have been working hard to solve this problem with the road covering material.

“When the new road surface was originally put down council officials were not satisfied and immediately raised this matter with the contractors.

“As an authority we would have been failing in our duty to provide good quality roads for residents and motorists, and ensuring value for money, if we did not act.

“As on the previous occasions when the road has been resurfaced I would like to point out that the cost of the extra work, including traffic diversions and labour costs, are being met by the suppliers and are not costing council tax payers a penny.

“I apologise for any inconvenience this work may bring and I thank motorists in advance for their patience.”