A contractor has blamed ‘brittle’ materials for the state of a Derby road – which started crumbling just weeks after a new surface was laid down.
Loose debris has been left scattered across Brentford Drive, Mackworth, with contractors apologising for the mess and even sending a street sweeper to the area to clear it away.
Prince Charles Avenue and Barnes Green roundabout have also been left in a sorry state following work by Miles Macadam just last month.
Residents of Brentford Drive contacted Derbyshire Live to complain about the issue, having complained to both Derby City Council and Miles Macadam.
Joe Collins, 69, has lived on Brentford Drive for around 30 years. He said, “The trouble is that other roads are absolutely fine around here, but they seem to have cut corners on this job. I don’t know where they are getting these materials from, but I’m not happy with the work; it means that we will have to have yet more work done; it’s a shoddy job.
“You pay your council tax, and you expect the work to be done right; I don’t think the council is doing a good job. Someone with a blunt screwdriver could do better. It’s no good putting a plaster on the problem when it needs to be done properly. I wish the council would come out and check the work that has been done.”
One part of the damaged resurfacing on Brentford Drive
(Image: Joe Collins)
Residents of the affected roads were sent a letter from Derby City Council apologising for the “failed materials” while also stating that the repair work would be completed at no further cost to the council, as the fault was not theirs.
The letter from Derby City Council said: “Unfortunately, we have identified a significant material failure in certain areas of the resurfaced carriageway. As a result, the contractor will need to carry out remedial works under the works guarantee, which will include full resurfacing of the affected areas.”
A spokesperson for the council additionally told Derbyshire Live: “We have identified some areas where the newly-laid surface does not meet the required standard. We met with the contractor responsible for the work to agree where remedial work is required.
“Affected residents have been notified that work will be carried out in the coming weeks and it will get underway when the weather permits. The remedial work will be completed at no cost to the council. When it’s finished, another meeting will be held to ensure the work meets our standards before the programme is signed off.”
A spokesperson for Miles Macadam said: “Clearly, there was something that was not quite right, and it will be rectified. I can assure the local residents it will be sorted out in the very near future. We didn’t want to disturb residents over the Christmas period so we are starting work soon.
“It is the fault of the material that we are going to incur the costs for that. The actual materials were the ones that failed, and we didn’t supply the materials, we just laid the materials down. The material was brittle, and that’s why it was lifting up. We do apologise for the inconvenience.”
Some of the damaged resurfacing on Brentford Drive
(Image: Joe Collins)
The work on the road will mean residents will have to undergo another period of repairs with temporary traffic lights in place.
Gaurav Pandey, ward councillor for Mackworth, said: “I raised this with the council and the contractors because I was not happy with the job they did. It’s unbelievable how badly they have done this job, it’s absolutely shocking. A newly-laid surface breaking down so quickly. I’ve never seen anything like this before, I expect that this will be rectified as soon as possible.”
The dates and times of the repair work have yet to be confirmed, Miles Macadam said they are currently liaising with the council around dates.
The firm acknowledged the road is essential for buses serving the estate and for residents who live in the area, and that they will endeavour to rectify the issue in the “near future”.