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Writer's pictureSafer Highways

Man lists pothole on eBay to highlight state of roads - and 500 people are interested


Paul wanted to show the world how bad the state of the roads are, and how dangerous it is for drivers like him

A grandad has staged an unusual protest over the state of his local roads - by listing a pothole on eBay. Paul Webb, 71, didn't get any bids, although he says 500 people were 'watching' at one point.


Paul, a business owner and disabled blue badge holder from South Molton in Devon, wants his county council to take action over bad roads. He says the roads in neighbouring Cornwall are "blemish free" - and wants the same for Devonians.


Paul said: "I have my own business and I’m used to thinking outside the box. My wife says no one understands my sense of humour.


“I was trying to think of new ideas, and it just came into my head - I will sell a pothole on eBay.”


Paul admits the listing is a bit childish - but says the issue is important for Devon locals, and people like him who are disabled. He said: "The only way I can get is with my car, I can’t walk any distance at all because of my back pain from vertebrae damage.


"I was in a coma for six weeks after contracting double pneumonia. The only way I can get around is by car, I can’t walk any distance at all because of my back pain, because of my problem I applied for and have got a disabled blue badge."


Paul described his protest as "humour but with a bit of acid in it."


He said: “Everybody is suffering. I lost two tyres to potholes on my Range Rover - imagine what it’s like for people with normal cars. Nobody seems to give a toss."


Paul was blown away after posting the listing - which was actually for a picture of a pothole. He said: “The number of people and the speed at which the views went up worried me!


“I was concerned I was going to in essence con someone into giving me £10 plus postage for something worthless.”


With eight hours to go and some 500 people watching the listing, Paul said he took it down as he “wouldn’t have been able to live with himself if someone bought it.” Paul said: “It lifted the mood a bit in our community, but there’s a serious point behind it.


“They say the roads in Cornwall are blemish free. Some of the roads in Devon though, my god, someone will lose their life to this if things aren’t improved, it’s the worst condition I’ve seen them in and I’ve lived here all my life.”


“People might think I’m a miserable old git, but most of the time I’m not grumpy, I just want it sorted out.


A Devon County Council spokesperson said: “Road maintenance investment is a national issue. The backlog of carriageway repairs in England and Wales has reached £14.02 billion, and in Devon it is over £200 million. The Government’s additional £9.4 million announced at the Spring Budget to help tackle this has been very welcome.


“But given that inflation remains high, severe weather events are more frequent and that Devon has 8,000 miles of roads, the largest network in England, this only partially addresses the sheer scale of the challenge we face. Nevertheless, our Highways and Traffic Management Service has continued to focus on reviewing and improving current working practices to increase efficiency and reduce disruption, something the National Highway and Transport Network (NHT) recognises.

“Their recent benchmarking data shows us to be an efficient highways authority which strives to squeeze the maximum from our limited resources. We are investing £66 million in highways and bridge maintenance in 2023/24, this includes the additional £9.4 million from Government and a further £500,000 from our own efficiency savings.”

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