Questions over “mess” of patching in Caia as councillor claims two lead members’ wards are as “smooth as a babies backside”

Residents in Cefndre in Caia Park have complained about a ‘mess’ of a patching job done to the road behind their properties on Friday.

Cefndre resident Sandra Cook Jones said she was left “shocked at the mess outside” of her property last week, saying she couldn’t understand why the entire road couldn’t have been redone.

Sandra said: “It’s been full of pot holes and has been a trip hazard for years, we’ve waited patiently for it to be sorted out but this is just beyond a joke, they’ve even put tarmac over weeds.

“It’s a mess. I’m sure the councillor in charge of this department wouldn’t put up with such a mess outside his house, maybe he thinks it’s ok because it’s Caia Park.”

Cllr Carrie Harper who represents the area said: “I really struggle to understand the thinking behind the way this job was done, they’ve actually done more of the road than they’ve left and I have to agree with residents, it looks a mess.

“The worry of course is that this all comes up with the first frost, it just can’t be cost effective.

“I asked both the lead member Cllr David Bithell and the head of department to meet me on site to discuss the job but had an email back refusing the request, instead passing me to the operational manager.

“I also went for a drive around Cllr Bithell’s ward in Johnstown, who also happens to be the deputy leader of the council, as well as council leader, Cllr Mark Pritchard’s ward in Rhostyllen to see if I could see any similar patching ‘jobs’ in those areas.

“Funnily enough there’s nothing remotely like this in either, in fact there’s very little patching at all with many roads having proper resurfacing and most roads in both areas looking as smooth as a babies backside. I don’t grudge either area decent roads but don’t we all deserve the same quality?

“We may pay council tax right across the county borough but it seems we’re certainly not all getting the same level of service.”

We asked Wrexham Council if a meeting was declined, and if so why.

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member Environment and Transport said: “I understand the works in Cllr Harper’s ward are reactive pot hole repair works, not planned highway maintenance works as published.

“I didn’t reject any site meeting as I asked the Operations Manager to arrange a meeting with Cllr Harper.”

This is Cefndre in my ward. Whilst I’m glad to finally see the pot holes tackled, WHY on earth not re do the whole road @wrexhamcbc? Surely that would have been easier? There’s more had tarmac than not 🤔 Residents are not amused. pic.twitter.com/FAPGzctVMe

— Carrie Harper 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@CarrieAHarper) October 9, 2021

We also asked Wrexham Council on the technicalities of why a larger patch is done rather than a full resurface of an area of road.

We also asked if there was a comment available over the levels of service across wards, and that the same quality standards are being applied throughout the borough.

There was no reply on those points.