'˜Mr Pothole' in resort crusade

Mark Morrell, also known as ‘Mr Pothole’, spoke with motorcyclist Daz Busby last week about his war on Britain’s worst roads and what local people can do to help.

He said: “In the last 10 years there has been 400 cyclists either killed or maimed as a result of potholes on UK roads. In some cases these are potholes that have been known by councils beforehand. I spoke to five or six different people around the town about the issues on their roads. There were people who had damage to their vehicles and people who were just generally fed up with the noise. The most striking story was obviusly Daz’s.

“The most important thing you can do is report potholes because you could 
prevent somebody suffering a serious injury or worse.”

Daz, 46, had to have his left leg amputated in December 2012 due to being seriously injured in a motorcycle crash on Palmer Avenue.

The dad-of-five, who worked as a designer, said: “I lost my leg and I lost my job. I was in hospital for two weeks and on my back for six months, so I couldn’t do anything. But you just have to carry on.

“I don’t think there’s anywhere you can drive in the country without coming into contact with bad roads.”

In the last five years, Blackpool Council has invested in a £30m road resurfacing scheme, called Project 30, that aims to imrove 20 per cent of the whole local network.

Coun Fred Jackson, 
Blackpool Council cabinet member for highways, said: “We are committed to maintaining the roads within the town.

“In addition to Project 30, a £3.6m project, funded from prudential borrowing, delivered repair and renewal works to Yeadon Way, a vital thoroughfare into the town from the M55.”

Mark said: “Every town has its issues with roads, but Blackpool is actually one of the better I have seen and I have to give the council credit.”

He added: “Daz has a very positive attitude after such a tragic accident that could have been avoided. He’s a braver man than I.”