I went to investigate a report from the Tithe Farm and Ladygrove Newsletter – December 2007. It read “… there are an alarming number of potholes and cracks in the road surfaces. The ones in Mill Road have now white lines marked around them. This may mean
a) They are about to be repaired
b) Once the council has marked them, they are no longer liable if someone has an accident
c) They have been designated a tourist attraction…“
When I got to Mill Road the tourist attraction had been removed. But as you can see from the first picture there are still ones to be seen in Exbourne Road.
Anyone is liable for a damages claim. (Diplomatic immunity & a few others accepted)You cannot obstain from prosecution just because you want to. Similar statements are made in some car parks where it says "we take no responsibility etc" , not so. "Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted" is another.
I have seen them marked with paint and then left so long that the paint has worn off. It is probably cheaper for them to pay the claims for damage than the pot holes. more people should claim. You can see people in villages weaving around known potholes & sunken drains etc. Kennington is one, Wantage another etc.