Homeowners on a cul-de-sac in Banbury, Oxfordshire, have been left stunned after discovering their pothole-ridden street will have to wait more than a century for repairs.
Residents of Horsham Close say the road has not undergone full resurfacing works since 1983.
When they approached Oxfordshire County Council requesting repairs some 42 years after the previous resurfacing, they were informed the national average resurfacing cycle stands at 103 years, according to the latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (Alarm) survey.
The shocking revelation sparked anger amongst locals, who described the timeline as absurd and warned deteriorating road conditions pose genuine hazards to motorists.
The street has received only temporary patching over the decades, with residents claiming these quick fixes repeatedly fail when weather conditions worsen.
Ian Bowyer, 66, who moved to the street only 18 months after the property was built, described the surface as excessively uneven and questioned why neighbouring roads receive maintenance while theirs does not.
Mr Bowyer explained repeated patching proves ineffective once moisture penetrates the repairs and freezing temperatures cause the surface to break up again.
He said: “103 years to wait for a road is unheard of. It’s more than most people’s lifetime.”
Residents have complained after the council told them the next scheduled resurfacing will take place more than a century later
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Dianne Hart, a 76-year-old retired print finisher who has lived on Horsham Close for nearly three decades, warned the deteriorating conditions create genuine safety concerns.
“The state of the road takes the steering out of your hands, it’s that bumpy,” Mrs Hart said, adding water accumulates where patches have been applied rather than draining properly.
The grandmother asked: “Why should we have to wait that long? We won’t have a road in 103 years time.”
Andrew Crichton, the county councillor for Banbury Hardwick, brought the matter before the council several weeks ago after visiting the street and speaking with residents.
‘103 years to wait for a road is unheard of. It’s more than most people’s lifetime,’ one resident fumed
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GOOGLECouncillor Crichton noted the thoroughfare has received nothing beyond remedial works carried out when utility companies have excavated the surface.
“The road is in a parlous state and desperately needs resurfacing,” he said.
Upon raising the matter with Andrew Gant, the council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Cllr Crichton learnt that the 103-year timeline originates from the Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance survey.
Cllr Gant characterised the situation as a nationwide problem rather than one unique to Oxfordshire.
“The latest Alarm survey shows that the average resurfacing cycle for all types of roads in England is every 103 years,” he confirmed.
He explained insufficient funding means local authorities cannot complete resurfacing within reasonable timescales, which results in more of a risk-based approach.
A council spokesman acknowledged financial constraints have forced the authority to allocate resources selectively when determining which routes receive attention.
The spokesman revealed Sussex Drive, which serves as the primary thoroughfare connecting several closes, including Horsham Close, underwent resurfacing several years ago.
“Because of budgetary restrictions, we have to prioritise roads based on a number of factors, including prioritising roads that receive more use,” the spokesman said.
The council encourages members of the public to submit reports through the Fix My Street platform, noting that providing photographic evidence alongside complaints can accelerate responses.
However, residents have expressed frustration that such reports typically result only in temporary patching rather than full resurfacing work.