Residents Face £100K Bill for Pothole Repairs

Residents of Furneux Pelham, Hertfordshire, are embroiled in a decades-long dispute with the local council over repairs needed for Whitebarns Lane, which has 32 potholes and is classified as a public footpath. The council claims that because it is not a road, repairs cannot be funded with public money, and residents have been quoted nearly £100,000 to fix the lane, a figure that has risen from £73,000 in 2016 due to inflation. Villagers have reported numerous injuries caused by the potholes, including incidents involving elderly residents and children. Despite the council's position, residents believe the repairs are necessary and refuse to pay out of pocket to make the lane 'adoptable,' meaning it would be maintained at public expense. A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council stated that while adoption of the lane is possible, it would require residents to bring it up to standard first. This ongoing conflict has been cited in local newspaper reports dating back to the 1960s, highlighting the persistent frustration of the community.