Blackburn and Darwen worst roads for potholes revealed

Unfortunately, decades later, the roads are still littered with cracks and holes in the surface, infuriating motorists and in worst case scenarios adding unnecessary stress due to costly repairs.

A survey for the Local Government Association found the cost of filling potholes has gone up by almost a quarter due to the war in Ukraine.

Bitumen, which is a material used to repair roads across the UK, was sourced from Russia but now councils are having to ration the material and find it from other markets which is pushing up costs and delaying road repairs.

Cllr Mark Russell and the Old Gates Drive pothole in July 2022 (Image: Newsquest)

However, a search on FixMyStreet reveals the latest complaints about potholes as well as ones that predate the Russia-Ukraine war.

From potholes that have been there so long they’ve “tripled in size” to ones so extreme they “make houses shake” when buses drive over them, here are some of the Blackburn with Darwen roads with the most reported potholes on FixMyStreet.

Jubilee Street, Darwen

Three reports were made about potholes on Jubilee Street in Darwen between August and October. One concerned resident stated drivers are swerving around the potholes that are, apparently, five inches deep.

People responded to the report posted on August 1, in agreement that the whole area by Jubilee Street is “so bad it needs resurfacing.”

On August 20, someone said the potholes have been “marked up with white paint but nothing has been done about them for weeks now” and two more reports were made about the potholes last month, but no updates on repairs have been shared yet.

Jubilee Street also seems to be a hotspot for issues regarding fly tipping, poorly marked road markings, blocked drains and grids, and overgrown bushes blocking the pathway.

Epworth Street, Darwen

On August 23, one seemingly frustrated resident reported a pothole on Epworth Street that is so big it’s “causing car wheels to skid when reversing out of the driveway.”

A request for an update was posted a month later in September but has still not yet been fixed.

Openshaw Drive, Blackburn

Someone reported a pothole around eight inches wide on Openshaw Drive in Blackburn earlier this year.

They wrote: “Pothole has been there for about a week and is getting worse. It is located in the middle of a busy path which leads to a secondary school and some shops.” T

here have been no updates on this report, six months after it was raised.

Wesley Street, Blackburn

Two reports have also been made about the multiple potholes varying in sizes on Wesley Street and at the bottom of Chorlton Street this year.

The person reporting stated these potholes “have developed over the course of many years” but there has been no news on repairs or resurfacing on the FixMyStreet website despite a recent log on November 2.

Preston Old Road, Blackburn

Preston Old Road in Blackburn has been flagged up four times this year for having multiple potholes “which have still not been fixed in over 18 months and are getting bigger.”

One person wrote: “I live further up the road, but HGVs and buses going over these at speed when accelerating up the hill, actually make our house shake as a result of the uneven road surface.

“This has been ongoing for the past 8 years now and still hasn't been sorted properly. A solution needs to be reached asap please.”

Another person reporting the potholes on Preston Old Road said: “Multiple potholes, worsened over past six months, conveniently some have been filled in, yet others in same stretch of road were just left uncovered! Please can this be sorted as a matter of urgency?”

Other honourable mentions are Nancy Street, and Ellison Fold Way both in Darwen and Meins Road in Blackburn.

Martin Eden, director of Place at Blackburn with Darwen council, said: “The increasing costs are affecting Blackburn with Darwen and we are working with suppliers and contractors to minimise the effect of these increases.

"We know that improving highways and repairing roads is a key priority for our residents in Blackburn with Darwen.

"Reflecting that, we committed extra funding for our Highways Team in our budget for 2022/23 and there’s more than £2m set aside for these works.

"Sadly, just as we’re all feeling the pinch at home with prices increasing, the same is the case for the Council and the services we provide.

"We are working incredibly hard with our suppliers and contractors to do everything we can to minimise the impact but it is having an effect.”