Subject: Urgent Safety Concern – Exposed Drain Covers and Severe Road Surface Failure

I am writing to formally raise an urgent safety concern regarding the severely deteriorated carriageway surface at the location shown in the attached photographs. The road surface surrounding multiple metal drain and utility covers has failed extensively, leaving the ironwork exposed and standing proud of the carriageway. In several areas the surrounding tarmac has broken away entirely, creating significant depressions and uneven levels around the covers. This condition presents a serious and immediate hazard to all road users. Buses and larger vehicles are striking these exposed metal covers repeatedly, causing significant impact damage to suspension systems, steering components, wheel hubs and tyres. The repeated heavy impact not only increases maintenance costs but raises genuine safety concerns for passenger-carrying vehicles operating on this route. Cyclists are particularly vulnerable. An exposed ironwork edge or sudden depression around these covers could easily result in loss of control, serious injury, or worse. Smaller vehicles are also at risk of tyre damage, tracking issues, and sudden swerving to avoid the hazard — increasing the likelihood of collisions. The current condition of the carriageway constitutes a foreseeable danger to life and property. Given the level difference between the ironwork and surrounding surface, this cannot be considered minor deterioration. I must therefore request that this defect is treated as a matter of urgency. At the very least, immediate temporary works should be undertaken to level and secure the ironwork safely, followed by full and permanent reinstatement of the carriageway at the earliest opportunity. Please confirm when remedial works will be carried out. I look forward to your urgent response. Yours faithfully, Wayne Littlejohn Health & Safety Representative Hoeford Depot