I AM writing in frustration and anger in response to the recent article in the Central Western Daily in which the newly elected State MP Phil Donato and the Mayor of Orange John Davis made various ‘motherhood’ statements concerning the responsibility for the Northern Distributor Road's upkeep and maintenance.
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What both men and indeed Orange City Council don't seem to realise is that it is largely due to the fact that remedial roadworks are not being carried out properly.
The routes around town that I travel regularly include the Northern Distributor Road, Forest Road between Sharp Road and the hospital, Anson Street, Prince Street and Wakeford Street.
Anyone who takes the slightest notice of these things will surely see these offending sections of road contain lengths of potholes or failed pavement that have been repaired ad infinitum.
The only conclusion one can come to is that by and large the work is not being done properly.
Throwing a shovel of hot or cold mix into a pothole without digging it out or compacting it is not repairing a pothole.
I have seen many instances of this occurring, only for the ‘repair’ to be rendered useless only days later.
Witness the western side of the tip turnoff roundabout. The many attempts at ‘repairs’ on this small section over the last few months are just laughable and it is still in a deplorable condition.
I actually drive that section of road with my passenger wheels on the road shoulder, as it is a better surface.
If the potholes are repaired properly that section should outlast its surrounding pavement area.
Further, the section of March Street from Dudley Hospital around the corner to near Girrahween Place was repaired and resealed not long before Christmas. The last few days of hot weather has seen it develop severe ‘bitumen bleeding’. It just shouldn't happen.
Anson Street contains the roundabouts at Phillip Street and Heatherbrae Parade and several walkway crossings, all of which have been repaired. All are in a deplorable condition, to the point of road safety being an issue.
The sections of road I have quoted are but a fraction of the examples of this outrageously inept policy in Orange, a policy which is leading to roads that are a disgrace to the city and quickly becoming a safety issue.
I call on council to adopt a more stringent policy with regard to road repairs in the city.
Noel Doherty, Orange
TECH HEAD IN THE MAKING
I have to admit that I'm certain I've reached my limit when it comes to using and understanding technology.
Although I've been tempted to put an axe through my computer when I was learning how to use it, I can quietly state that I'm quite comfortable with all that a computer can do.
Mobile/smart phones and iPads are a definite no-no and some of those new machines inside my bank make me decidedly nervous.
As someone once said “to err is human, but to really foul things up, requires a computer.”
P.S. I hope the ‘no bikes and skateboards’ rule on busy CBD footpaths is enforced during coming months. Based on past observations, I can't see this happening. Over to Orange City Council and our local police.