Road so bad that £48k repairs 'could not wait'

The decision to spend £48,000 fixing Derby Road was taken by two senior councillors amid fears the rate of deterioration was so severe that any delay could end up costing the taxpayer more money.

Allowing the condition to get even worse would also have meant shutting the road for longer, causing more inconvenience to residents, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet will be told on Thursday.

Money for the repairs was allocated from the council’s highways budget.

An urgent decision notice, to be presented at today’s meeting, says Couns Geoff Driver and Keith Iddon – council leader and cabinet member for highways, respectively – agreed the condition of the road meant the matter could not wait.

It adds: “If the repairs are not undertaken imminently the rate of failure could significantly increase the future cost of repair and increase the duration of the road closure required to undertake the repair. Poulton railway station has been closed for approximately six months during which time the condition of Derby Road, in the vicinity of the railway station and used to pick up and drop off rail users, has significantly deteriorated.

“The road requires urgent attention to halt further deterioration that could significantly increase the cost of repair and increase the duration of the road closure required. It is therefore proposed that inlay repairs are undertaken before the end of April.”