A pothole three and a half inches deep has appeared on the High Street.
The waterfilled pothole appeared over the weekend and loud ‘thumps’ are heard as vehicles slow to give way at the junction with Bridge Street.
Today, Thursday 19th February, some kindly local has placed a traffic cone into the hole, warning drivers of its existence, in the hope it will slow drivers – many of whom unfamiliar with the village ignore the give way requirement anyway – on the approach.
This morning, the cone has been driven over 3 times in the space of 40 minutes. David Harber, landlord of The Red Lion pub opposite the offending crater says, “I trust this will attract more drivers’ attention so that they pay attention to the yellow cone and slow their vehicles on the approach to the junction.
“It will save the potential for accidents involving oncoming vehicles that have right of way, as well as saving vehicle owners’ tyres. Although it’s obvious not everyone pays attention”.
According to the RAC, the UK has an estimated 1 million+ potholes, averaging six per mile on council-controlled roads which cost drivers an estimated £579 million in repairs in 2024.
Potholes can be reported to Hampshire County Council here: https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/highways/report-a-problem
David Harber adds, “Although you report things like potholes and overflowing drains to the local council, I woudn’t hold your breath, I haven’t seen any evidence of the local authority acting with any speed on these reports.
“With Red Lion Lane, the approach to the railway station and now the High Street, Overton is getting increasingly like a village whose roads are laid with Swiss cheese.”
