Residents raise alarm over pothole crisis in North Devon

Residents in North Devon are raising their voices over the number of potholes in the area. Local inhabitants have expressed deep frustration, feeling that road repair efforts are being overlooked in favour of other projects they deem less urgent.

One resident said: “We see work being done on proposals that don't need immediate attention while our roads are left to deteriorate.”

ABOVE: Pothole damage in Howard Avenue, Barnstaple. Image: AW Photographic

The North Devon Gazette had recently highlighted several upcoming road work proposals. However, the most common response from readers was a demand for immediate attention to potholes. 

The Gazette’s Facebook page has been inundated with comments from locals pinpointing specific trouble spots:

• “Torrington to Holsworthy - all the way along... Bideford to Torrington- several areas on both roads.”
• “Sticklepath leading up to Cedars just before traffic lights."
• “The worst between the rural villages, i.e., Bradworthy to Woolsery, Bradworthy to Kilkhampton.”
• “Coming into Bideford from the Torrington Road.”
• “The A377 should be a priority. From Barnstaple to Bishops Tawton roundabout all the way to Copplestone, there are too many bad road surfaces to count.”

Despite these specifics, many locals believe the issue is widespread. 

One local said: “It's not just one road; they're all awful to drive on.”

Another individual shared a personal ordeal of having to replace a tyre due to pothole damage.

In response to these concerns, the Gazette reached out to Devon County Council, which oversees road maintenance in the area.

A council spokesperson stated: “The maintenance of our network is one of our main priorities.

“Since January 1 we have repaired approximately 38,500 potholes in Devon, approximately 9,500 of which have been in the North Devon operational area.

“For the current financial year we have 58 separate road schemes planned, including patching works and resurfacing, surface dressing and drainage schemes.

“The additional funding we’ve previously received is very welcome, but unfortunately it will not enable us to repair every road.

“We have to prioritise our roads across the county so we can get best value from the limited resources we have.”