Council finally sets date for "dangerous" road repairs

A row has erupted over road repair priorities in Glossop after plans were announced to resurface several roads in Shirebrook while other routes described as “dangerous” remain unrepaired.

Residents were given advance notice in February that Derbyshire County Council intends to carry out micro-resurfacing works on Hathersage Drive and Leicester Drive in Shirebrook, with road closures scheduled at various points between 8th March and 1st May. 

Since then, King Edward Avenue and Riverside Close have been added to the programme, with workmen attending the site on Tuesday 3rd March. 

However, Councillor Adie Hopkinson has publicly questioned the decision across social media, saying he has been contacted by several residents who believe roads in far worse condition, particularly Dinting Road, should be prioritised instead. 

Dinting Road has been the subject of mounting criticism from residents on Facebook, with multiple reports of vehicle damage and near misses. One resident said she had “extensively” damaged her car after hitting a pothole concealed by rainwater, while others have reported buckled or damaged wheels. Some claim they first reported the deteriorating surface weeks ago and say it has steadily worsened since, with no response from the council. 

Several residents have described potholes “nearly 30cm deep”, with drivers said to be constantly swerving to avoid them. One said she counted more than 45 holes along the route, while another reported a cyclist had come off his bike. 

Cllr Hopkinson, who represents Old Glossop, which includes the two Shirebrook roads, has asked whether a highways engineer has assessed the routes and how repair priorities are determined. He has also queried whether funding allocated for micro-resurfacing could be redirected to more urgent works, including Dinting Road, Shirebrook Drive and the top of North Road at the junction with Cemetery Road – all which are causing problems for the road users. 

He said he personally witnessed a near-miss on Dinting Road when a van swerved to avoid a pothole and narrowly avoided colliding with an oncoming vehicle. 

Cllr Hopkinson told the Glossop Chronicle: 

“Numerous residents have quite rightly contacted me expressing their disbelief at Derbyshire County Council’s decision to resurface Hathersage Drive and Leicester Drive. Those roads are in a far superior condition than Dinting Road and Shirebrook Drive. 

“Several times both myself and Cllr Jean Wharmby have reported the state of Dinting Road and Shirebrook Drive and I’m sure everyone will agree, Dinting Road is disgraceful and is causing damage to vehicles. 

“I cannot understand why DCC have agreed to resurface Hathersage Drive and Shirebrook when they don’t appear to need doing. Whoever is prioritising the planned works in Glossop clearly hasn’t been to Glossop or doesn’t care about our area. 

“The current administration were elected on a promise to reduce taxes, fix the potholes and be more efficient. Sadly, we’re not seeing it here.” 

Cllr Hopkinson said he is now considering holding a public meeting to discuss what he views as “acute failings” by the Reform-led county council. He added that the meeting could also include discussion about the proposed closure of Glossop Household Waste Recycling Centre. 

Cllr Jean Wharmby, Derbyshire County Councillor for Glossop North, also raised concerns about the condition of Dinting Road. She said:

“Residents have contacted me repeatedly about the ongoing issues on Dinting Road in Glossop – not just potholes, but serious drainage problems and pavements in need of repair. I have raised this with Derbyshire County Council officers at every level and have been assured it is being looked at, but people are understandably disillusioned and disappointed when they see other areas being repaired while this road continues to deteriorate. It is a very well-used route, particularly as an alternative to the A57, and it should be treated as a priority.” 

Mayor Dom Starkey, whose ward covers Dinting Road, told the Chronicle:

“The state of Dinting Road is absolutely shocking and something which colleagues and I have repeatedly reported to Derbyshire County Council. Dinting is a great area and, with Howard Park just down the road, I am disappointed DCC seem committed to seeing how bad they can leave the potholes to get before the road is completely impassable. 
 
"I will be continuing to liaise with our representative at County, Cllr Jean Wharmby, and working to ensure this gets resolved as quickly as possible. With more traffic than ever passing on this road, due to more housebuilding in the area, the Council must ensure our highways are sufficiently maintained so as not to negatively impact residents any further. 
 
"I would be like to extend an invitation to the Cabinet member for Highways to visit us and see the area, in order to make a better informed decision. We need an administration at County which works for the entirety of Derbyshire and not just the areas for which they sit.” 

The Glossop Chronicle contacted Derbyshire County Council for a comment and Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport Cllr Charlotte Hill said: 

“We understand there have been concerns about the roads in Glossop, and it is our priority to fix issues as quickly as we possibly can. 

“We are currently undertaking micro surfacing and surface dressing of both Hathersage Drive and Leicester drive, as part of our surface treatment programme. This treatment isn’t suitable for roads that require extensive patch repairs or resurfacing works.  

“Sections of Dinting Road are due to be repaired by one of our teams next week although this will depend on the weather. We are also aware of a drainage issue that is being dealt with, and the local councillor has been informed. 

“Please be assured that our highways team carries out a regular inspection schedule of all roads across the county. These are treated in order of priority, according to the road type, damage, and amount of traffic. 

“Winter has resulted in a large increase in potholes, and our 34 reactive teams are doing their best to make repairs as soon as possible. Residents should continue to report any problems to the council, so we can be made aware of any potholes and ensure a quick response.”