Delay worries over broken manhole unit

Martin Jones first reported a broken manhole cover in Victoria Road East more than a week ago.

Since then he’s been baffled by a lack of action over the hazard which he believes is a danger to pedestrians.

It wasn’t until Tuesday this week that the hole was finally properly fenced off after The Gazette alerted telecoms giant BT.

The hole, which opened up when a Post Office Telephones inspection cover gave way, is close to Thornton Library and Little Theatre and the town’s Methodist Church.

And with heavy foot traffic along the road Mr Jones worries it’s only a matter of time before someone has a fall.

“There’s been some building work going on nearby and maybe a lorry has mounted the pavement to drop off goods.

“But the manhole cover was very badly cracked.

“I contacted Wyre Council but after that not a lot has happened.

“First of all somebody came along and put a cone on it.

“Now the cover has gone and there’s just a cone in the hole.

“There’s nothing to fence it off and I don’t think the cone is enough.

“If someone were to step in it would go at least up to their knee.

“It’s a significant drop.

“I don’t know what would happen in someone were to fall in.”

Wyre Council confirmed a complaint had been received after the authority had been contacted by a resident via social media.

As it was a highways issue the matter was referred on to officials at Lancashire County Council.

County Hall confirmed a member of staff had visited the site and BT – which is responsible for the cover – had been contacted.

A spokesman said: “This cover belongs to BT and we reported it to them after a member of the public reported it to us last week.

“We have inspected the location and placed a cone over the cover to warn people that it is broken.”

BT said engineers would be sent to Thornton to assess the problem.

A spokesman said: “We weren’t aware of this issue.

“Someone will be out within 24 hours to make the area safe and the broken cover will be replaced fully within a week or so.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

“To report any future problems, people should get in touch with Openreach.

“The contact details can be found on the Openreach website at http://www.homeandwork.openreach.co.uk/get-in-touch.aspx ”