LISTEN: We go out on Pothole Patrol in Morecambe

Emma Townley and Sophie Lyden measuring a pothole on Fairfield Road in Morecambe

Our reporter GREG LAMBERT joined two road safety champions out and about in Morecambe and Heysham to highlight some of the biggest potholes in the area.

Sisters Sophie Lyden and Emma Townley from Morecambe auto repair firm Westgate Tyres have been producing regular online videos showing the state of the roads locally.

They have had a huge response from residents and motorists, so we decided to join them on Wednesday.

This came after our own Facebook page was inundated with complaints about potholes in around 30 different locations across Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth and Bolton-le-Sands.

LISTEN to Sophie and Emma talking about Pothole Patrol

To start our Pothole Patrol, we went to the corner of Fairfield Road and Balmoral Road in the West End of Morecambe, below.

Last week, Sophie and Emma measured a pothole there, which was four inches deep at the time. On Wednesday, it has grown to six inches deep, but had been 'white marked' for attention.

Sophie said the pothole had been reported on the 'Love Clean Streets' app multiple times, and she hoped the white mark meant it would soon be repaired.

Next, the Pothole Patrol team went to another hotspot on Oxcliffe Road, where a pothole was measured at between 10 and 15 feet long.

This has also been reported, but has not been marked.

"If we've taken the right steps to report it, then we're just waiting on the council to put it right," said Sophie.

"We had a councillor come in to see us this week, and he said the A roads and bus routes take priority."

Our third stop was the roundabout at the end of the Heysham bypass, close to Trumacar school.

"This one to me is a major priority, especially with the amount of traffic," said Sophie.

"Potentially this one is about 20 feet long. It really needs sorting."

Again, this area has been reported several times.

Our final stop was Pedder Street in Morecambe town centre, which was highlighted by residents as a particularly bad area for potholes.

When we visited on Wednesday, a team of contractors from road construction company Multevo were busy repairing the road.

"The potholes were bad but the council have listened and they have been filled in," said Sophie.

"They said they've been working in the area for the past two weeks and have fixed numerous potholes. They were doing what all of us have asked them to do."

After finishing our Pothole Patrol, Sophie said: "The amount of customers that we've been having who have been beside themselves because they're spending money they didn't want to spend, because of a pothole.

"It is positive to see that they are doing things, and we will continue to do what we're doing because we want the roads to be safe for everybody.

"If you do hit a pothole you do need to get your car checked, whether it's by us or other garages. Make sure that vehicle is safe.

"The message is, if you find a pothole that we're missing, report it via the Love Clean Streets app."

Emma said: "We've had so many comments and reactions, and so many people feel the same.

"They want to warn people where the potholes are and save their vehicles."

We have contacted Lancashire County Council, who are in charge of road repairs, to ask if there are any plans to fix the potholes on Fairfield Road, Oxcliffe Road and the Trumacar roundabout.

Two years ago, Beyond Radio highlighted the shocking state of roads in Morecambe which at the time were said to be in their "worst condition for years".

This month, Lancashire County Council revealed plans for a £72m programme to improve roads in Lancashire.

The funding will support a wide‑ranging programme of work across the county, including road resurfacing, structural repairs, bridges, drainage and street lighting, with a strong focus on preventative maintenance and right first‑time repairs.

The recent county council budget also included a pledge to spend an extra £45m on highway repairs such as potholes over the next three years.

Below, potholes on Oxcliffe Road

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: “Our roads carry over 4.6 million journeys a day, and we fix around 3,400 potholes each month.

“Potholes are caused by wet and cold weather and followed by the freezing conditions early this year, means that our roads have suffered a lot of damage recently. We triage all requests and respond to these in order of priority.

“Our Managed Service model delivers bigger, longer lasting repairs, tripling the average fix size and as a single provider it replaced multiple contractors, freeing council teams to focus on urgent work and resurfacing.”

You can report a pothole HERE or via the Love Clean Streets app.

Read more: VIDEO: Morecambe road safety champion out on 'Pothole Patrol' - Beyond Radio

Road resurfacing schemes revealed for Lancaster district - Beyond Radio

PHOTOS: Anger at shocking state of Lancaster and Morecambe roads in "worst condition for years" - Beyond Radio

Have you got a local news story? Email us now, newsdesk@beyondradio.co.uk

Join our free WhatsApp channel and get the latest news direct to your phone:

More from Local News

On Air Now Beyond Drive 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Now Playing
Something Goin' On Todd Terry feat. Jocelyn Brown & Martha Wash Download
Recently Played
  • If Everybody Looked The Same Groove Armada 17:46
    Download
  • I Luv U Baby The Original 17:36
    Download
  • Everybody's Free (To Feel Good) Rozalla 17:33
    Download

Recently Played Songs

  • 5:49pm

    Something Goin' On

    Todd Terry feat. Jocelyn Brown & Martha Wash

    Download
  • 5:46pm

    If Everybody Looked The Same

    Groove Armada

    Download
  • 5:36pm

    I Luv U Baby

    The Original

    Download