Sign warns of potholes outside Rolls-Royce showroom

A sign warning motorists of potholes has been put up by resident William Farrugia

A resident has put up a sign warning drivers of "dangerous" potholes outside a Rolls-Royce showroom.

William Farrugia, 19, said motorists have driven on the wrong side of the road in an attempt to swerve the holes on the Great Easton stretch of the B184 between Great Dunmow and Thaxted, Essex

Mr Farrugia said: "It is quite dangerous for people who are driving through it."

An Essex Highways spokesperson urged people to report all defects but said it must address the "most urgent issues first".

"Dangerous" potholes have been getting bigger and deeper, Mr Farrugia said

Mr Farrugia said Essex Highways had fixed the potholes several times over the years but they had been getting "deeper and bigger" in the past two weeks.

If the potholes were not fixed, he said, it could result in punctures or even a fatal accident.

"This is the worst one in my village," he added.

Mr Farrugia told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the makeshift sign - reading "Caution pot hole" - worked.

"People slow down and go around the pothole," he said.

Mr Farrugia had criticised Essex County Council for its management and repair of roads – although an additional £12m has been pledged to tackle road maintenance across the county.

The Conservative-led authority agreed the figure at a full meeting, saying £8m of that would fund extra crews to prioritise issues raised by local councillors.

The council had already budgeted £99m to tackle roads, potholes and pavements.