A MOTORIST claims she would be better off driving on pavements because the state of her road is so bad.
Julie Davies claims Water Royd Drive is so bumpy it has twice messed up the suspension on her three-year-old car.
And she is infuriated the council has been resurfacing pavements around Dodworth instead of concentrating on the roads.
She said: “We will have to drive on the pavements because they will be superb.”
Mrs Davies lives with husband Edward and says Water Royd Drive to be one of the worst in town. She is so furious she has put a claim into the council for £200 to pay for her vehicle to be repaired.
It is so bumpy, she said: “If you drive at more than ten mph you run the risk of going through the roof. The local taxi drivers call it the worst road in Barnsley.
“We had friends visit and they arrived after dark and did not know the road. They thought there were speed bumps but it is just because the road is so bad. It’s atrocious.”
The suspension has already gone on her three-year-old Ford Ka even though it only has low mileage and her mechanic told her there is no way that would normally happen.
She said: “We have garaged it until the road is sorted out to avoid any further damage.”
Now Mrs Davies is furious the council has employed a firm of solicitors to consider the claim.
She wrote to a council officer to ask for the pay out but has been told he does not ‘feel comfortable’ making the decision.
“How much is he being paid a year? And he does not feel comfortable making a claim? I'm sorry but he should be sacked if he cannot make a decision, even if it is ‘no’.”
Alan Carnall, assistant director for highways, apologised over the damage to the car.
He said: “Mrs Davies has made a claim against the council which has been passed to our insurers’ solicitors. This is part of our normal procedures when guidance on a particular claim is sought.”
He said tests have been conducted on Water Royd Drive because of concerns over the state of the road. “Once these have been completed and the results analysed we will be able to decide on the best course of action.”
