A CONTINUING report on my 'Holey War'. Driving through Barnt Green recently I saw the pot-hole repair men. They were repairing holes on Barnt Green Road and I decided to monitor my pot hole to see if they would repair it.

Later that morning I saw them repairing another large pot-hole in Cofton Lake Road. Cofton Lake Road is at the end of Reservoir Road and a cul-de-sac. I saw the repair men packing away their equipment, and reached for my video camera. I then recorded them leaving Cofton Lake Road, driving back along Reservoir Road, hesitating at my pot-hole, then continuing through it and away.

Boy was I disappointed. So I reached for the Yellow Pages, and the solicitors page. I thought if I prosecuted Bromsgrove District Council I might get it fixed. I then thought a local solicitor might be better, and searched the paper's site www.thisisbromsgrove.co.uk

On this website I saw Julie Kirkbride, my local MP. As I delved further, it was suggested that before I contact her I should try my local councillor. I went to the Local Councillors web page, and found that my local councillor was Councillor Ann Doyle. I contacted her by telephone, and explained my dilemma.

She was completely helpful and pointed out to me that I would be paying from both ends to personally prosecute the council, and I agreed. Instead I was asked to leave it with her.

Ten minutes later I was contacted by Nick Twaite who was interested in the fact I had video footage of a repair crew ignoring my pot-hole. We discussed the situation and he said he would make enquiries.

About 10 minutes later he again telephoned my to say that the crew had made a decision not to repair this pot-hole, as it needed eight square metres of tarmac removed, and this may have overloaded their vehicle. I thought this may not have been an accurate assessment, but agreed with him. He informed me the pot-hole would be repaired as soon as possible.

The following day at about 9.10am, I received a telephone call from someone who said the repair crew were heading for Reservoir Road, but had been diverted to a fallen tree. I was informed they would be repairing my road about two hours later. They did not arrive.

At 4.30pm the same day, I sent an e-mail to Councillor Doyle informing her of my disappointment. Then on Friday, the repair men arrived and repaired my pot-hole. Fantastic!

In fact I am so pleased with the repair, I am thinking of selling tickets for people to come and see it. I would like to thank the Advertiser/Messenger for assisting me in my campaign, and I would especially like to thank Councillor Doyle for her friendly and effective support. She had the contacts to get this dangerous pot-hole made safe.

Thank you. My neighbours and I are now content again.

John Swain

Reservoir Road

Cofton Hackett