Facebook not place to complain about potholes, says council

People have been told that Norfolk County Council staff do not have the time or resources to monitor social media for people complaining about pothole problems.

People have been urged to report pothole problems to the county council, rather than complaining about them on Facebook (Image: Antony Kelly)

Graham Plant, the Conservative-controlled council's cabinet member for highways, said people need to go through the correct reporting procedure if they want the authority to fill the holes.

He made his comments during a council meeting where the state of Norfolk's roads, which have a £71m bill to clear the maintenance backlog, was discussed.

Independent councillor Jim Moriarty said his ear was "often chewed off" by people complaining about potholes.

Independent county councillor Jim Moriarty (Image: West Norfolk Council)

In response, Mr Plant said: "Facebook is not the place to declare where a pothole is, but, unfortunately, that seems to be the main route."

Mr Plant said when potholes are reported directly to the council, they are added to a priority list and fixed within a timeframe, depending on their depth.

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure (Image: Sonya Duncan)

He said: "If it's reported on Facebook by 2,000 people, all having a niggle at each other about it, that doesn't go anywhere, because we don't monitor that. We don't have the staff to monitor that."

Mr Plant said direct reporting brings a "really good reaction time" and if people use that system the potholes will be dealt with.

Complaining about potholes on Facebook will not help get them fixed, say Norfolk County Council leaders (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

He said: "If it's reported on Facebook or Instagram, it's not going anywhere but on Facebook and Instagram.

"Report it properly, it will go on the system and it will get done."

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Mr Moriarty said he hadn't mentioned Facebook or Instagram and that he was referring to parish councils.

He said they had reported potholes properly, only for them not to be fixed.

County councillor Barry Stone (Image: Barry Stone)

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Conservative Barry Stone also criticised how roadworks signs were often left in place long after work has finished.

County Hall officers said they checked on signs and had powers to fine contractors, including for utility companies, for not removing them.

People can report potholes to Norfolk County Council via www.norfolk.gov.uk/39671