A massive pothole at the intersection of Tanhouse Road and Bodmin Hill in Lostwithiel had become a major nuisance for the citizens of Cornwall. For months, locals tried to avoid the area altogether. But one day, a mysterious individual decided to take matters into their own hands—literally filling the gaping hole with concrete.
According to officials from Cornwall Council, the road’s surface had deteriorated due to ongoing drainage issues, leading to the road being closed in early April 2023. Despite the road’s inaccessibility, no action was taken to repair it for over a month. Frustrated with the situation, an anonymous motorist decided to take action during a weekend in May, filling the pothole with concrete and briefly reopening the road.
An Unexpected Solution Sparks Outrage
The temporary fix brought some relief to residents, but it didn’t last long. Shortly after the impromptu repair, Cornwall Council’s road maintenance company, Cormac, stepped in and closed the road once again. Officials stated that the repair was not authorized and needed to be addressed by their official team.
Cornwall Highways officials are now searching for the person responsible for the unauthorized repair. The individual not only filled the pothole but also removed the warning signs without permission, prompting an official investigation.
Council’s Reaction and a Call for Information
Officials informed residents that the road would remain closed for at least another month or until the backlog of pothole repairs could be managed. Cornwall Councilor Colin Martin, who represents Lanreath and Lostwithiel, called on the public to share any information about the person who carried out the repair. He also described the incident as a “perfect metaphor for the crumbling public sector due to under-investment.”
Martin explained, “The road has been closed again and will stay closed until Cormac carries out the ‘proper’ repair. Unfortunately, this could take weeks, as available teams have been redirected to patch smaller potholes on open roads. Over the past two years, budget cuts for road resurfacing and proactive maintenance by the Conservative-led Cornwall Council have resulted in potholes appearing faster than Cormac can fill them.”
Ordinary Citizens Take Matters into Their Own Hands
This isn’t the first time frustrated residents have stepped up when local councils failed to address community needs. In 2017, a resident in Toronto took it upon himself to build a set of park stairs for a community garden, spending $550 on the project. City officials, however, estimated the cost to be between $65,000 and $150,000, which led to considerable criticism. As expected, the city council was not pleased with the citizen’s independent action.
The situation in Cornwall highlights a broader issue—when local authorities fail to maintain essential infrastructure, some citizens feel compelled to act, even at the risk of facing backlash or penalties.
