DEAR Editor,-
I thought the attached letter might be of interest. As you will see, it was written some years ago, but never answered.
I recently observed potholes being repaired, their outline being squared off as suggested, but the hole itself left as is, bowl-shaped, which defies the real object of the exercise. The cavity must be box-shaped because this shape will resist pressure from passing traffic forcing the tarmac filling out. If you can imagine a bowl full of jelly (our pothole), it is quite easy to slip the jelly out in a round bowl, however, if the ‘jelly’ container is square, it is quite impossible to slip the jelly ‘tarmac filling’, out without virtually turning the box upside down.
With regards to the proliferation of heavy and extra heavy vehicles using the coastal roads these days, I recently followed a heavy vehicle north out of Port Shepstone and the vehicle appeared to be designed for the cartage of ore. It was equipped with 22 (twenty two) wheels, and when this vehicle ran over a pothole, pieces of tar could be seen flying up, the pothole almost visibly enlarging before my eyes. Such vehicles and larger are common and I have to wonder if they really have to use the coastal roads or are they avoiding paying the toll for using the nearby freeway?
Our coastal roads are deteriorating rapidly and should be protected by a weight restriction or limit. Heavy vehicles that have to use this road should be required to carry a permit to do so. Just my opinion, of course.
DJ OWEN
Anerley
