Council refuses to fix pensioners' potholes - so OAPs (average age 75) do it themselves

A group of persistent pensioners whose council have refused to fix their potholes have taken matters into their own hands - by filling them in themselves.

The six OAPs in Pudsey, West Yorks, were left with gaping potholes on their street which Leeds City Council declined to fix because they were on an ‘unadopted road’.

Undeterred, the neighbours, with an average age of 75, ordered a tonne of tarmac and set to work filling in the huge potholes armed with a heavy duty concrete garden roller, shovels, rakes and brushes.

David Horn, 77, who lives on the affected Crawshaw Gardens, said: 'We decided enough is enough.

'There has been much discussion with Leeds City Council over the years and although it is an unadopted road, we feel they could help us out.

'There are 14 houses here and we all pay council tax. It seems ridiculous that we have to pay for our own road repairs too.

'Over the years we have repaired numerous holes several times.'

[They've cracked the art world! Fed-up residents turn potholes into hilarious masterpieces]

Local MP Stuart Andrew has been out to visit the road but informed the men that there was little the council could do as it is 'unadopted' which means they are not liable for maintenance.

Retired teacher Chris McNamara, 64, who filled in the holes, said: 'We are not necessarily picking a fight with the council, but most people here are elderly, some in their 80s or 90s.

'We are mending the road. We all pay our council tax.'

Glynn Crampton, 70, who has been responsible for sealing the holes, added: 'They could be dangerous which is why we decided to fill them in ourselves.'

The group is due to meet with Councillor Richard Lewis to see if any help is available.

A Leeds City Council spokesman said it was 'unadopted’ but was unable to comment further.