Gedling: Charity calendar highlights worst potholes in borough

A charity calendar has been devoted entirely to some of the worst potholes blighting a borough's roads.

The various road craters and rubble have been photographed by residents in Gedling, Nottinghamshire - and given nicknames for each month of the year.

They range from January's "Big Foot" in Main Road, to February's "Moon crater" in Unity Crescent and March's "big dipper" in Fraser Square.

Calendar creator Brian Bailey said it had "just taken off".

Mr Bailey, 76, who has lived in Gedling for more than 20 years, said the calendar started out as a joke, but he has already ordered two sets of reprints.

He said: "I put it on [Facebook] as a joke and I've been persuaded to produce them.

"It's gone a bit too well, because I'm sitting there printing day after day at the minute.

"Everybody wants one, and we're putting all the proceeds towards Maggie's charity, which is a charity close to my heart."

Mr Bailey shared the calendar in the 1,600-member Facebook group, which was created to discuss potholes in Gedling.

He said he took a dozen photos from the group, but added there could have "easily" been another 50.

Mr Bailey said: "It's just taken off, because I think everyone is so disappointed and annoyed at the situation, and the council are doing temporary repairs which won't last long.

"They'd be better off taking a bit longer and doing them properly.

"Many people have had burst tyres, damaged suspension, damaged wheels. They can't get recompense from the council. The procedure to get compensation is appalling."

Mr Bailey is also looking to organise a "pothole party" on Valentine's Day, and has started to create a pothole-themed card for the occasion.

Councillor John Clarke MBE, leader of Gedling Borough Council, wrote a letter to Nottinghamshire County Council in December, requesting a "fair share of highway and pothole investment" for the borough.

A county council spokesperson said: "Where residents notice potholes, we ask that they continue to report them to us either through our website or the My Notts App."

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