'More potholes than surface' - Is this the worst road for potholes in Scotland?

Beveridge Row near Belhaven, East Lothian (Photo: Paul Gillon)

A pothole every metre, each deep and cavernous and no better place for the Evening News' road champion Pothole Pete.

Beveridge Row, near Dunbar and Belhaven, has been labelled one of if not the worst roads for potholes in Scotland by residents.

The road, which is used as a through road between the A1 and the village of Belhaven, has been described as having "more pothole than surface".

East Lothian Council said the future of the road is dependent on future plans for trunk roads in the area, however residents are demanding action to repair the terrible surface.

'More pothole than surface'

Jacquie Bell, secretary of Dunbar Community Council, said the road had been on the agenda since 2004, and is used by residents trying to get to the A1 from Belhaven.

She added delays to the repair of the road have been in place with the council saying it would only be repaired after construction of a nearby CALA Homes development was finished.

Ms Bell said: "We have been continually told by East Lothian Council that it is not worth repairing until building works are done. It is just going on and on.

"The road is really really rough. The popular feeling is they would like to see the road repaired and whether that should be at the expense of the developers who just made it worse.

"It was said that people shouldn't be using that road but a lot of people from the villages that come into Dunbar and Belhave make it a very heavy use."

The state of the road is in such a bad state that any use of it by cyclists or pedestrians is "awful", Ms Bell said.

She added: "There are potholes ever few metres and they are very deep. Anyone on a bike or a pedestrian, it is really really awful.

"Because it is getting heavy use each pothole has to be done separately which would take several years because there is more pothole than surface."

'Not appropriate to invest significant funds at this time'

A spokesman for East Lothian Council said temporary repairs will now be carried out on the road, but a full repair is not likely any time soon.

He said: “Beveridge Row is intrinsically linked to the strategic development of roads within Transport Scotland’s control.

"Until they have determined their position it would not be appropriate to invest significant funds at this time.

"As such there are no current plans to close this road. Any future proposals would involve public consultation and statutory process.

“Repairs are prioritised according to road type and scale of the issue. Our approach is consistent with a code of practice on maintenance management, issued by the Department of Transport and - in line with our needs assessment policy - the road will be reassessed later this year.

“In the meantime, we are arranging for temporary repairs to be undertaken.”

Pothole Pete

If you have a road which is damaged or full of potholes and want Pothole Pete to visit, email a photo and a location of the pothole to [email protected].