Hope it’s ok to start this thread/ put it here.
Husband and I were driving from Catherington to Southampton over Christmas and hit a massive pothole which damaged 2 wheels and gave us 1 flat. It happened on the A334 crossing over the little stream that shoots off from the river Hamble, .3 miles NE of Botley station ( 50°55’04.1"N 1°15’09.7"W)
We were parked up at Hilltop Station Hill (there’s horses there) waiting for assistance for appx. an hour and a half, sometimes in the rain- and with a cat in tow! My husband got an Uber to take our cat to our final destination so she wouldn’t have to wait in the carrier for any longer than needed. That cabbie said people had been getting flats from that pothole for over a year. That they keep repairing it but not properly. I went up to the pothole to film people driving over it or swerving into the oncoming lane to avoid driving over it- showing that some people drove that road enough to already know the pothole was there. Recovery man (Mark?) was very capable and friendly (Green Flag/Westbourne Motors). Got our wheels sorted then we went to the Railway pub to make sure the wheels remained intact. It was there we met a woman who also just got a flat from the same pothole! I have no idea why it escaped me to trade info with her for witness’ sake but it did…
We’ve since reported the incident to Hampshire County council for compensation for at least the wheel replacements. The case was finally closed yesterday and we got a letter today saying they feel they shouldn’t have to pay out because no one else reported an incident and there was supposedly no damage between the last inspection (Oct 12) and the date of our incident.
I will be appealing! :- )
