THE CASE is continuing to build against the 'worst road in Somerset', as the Chard and Ilminster News has received another letter from a nearby resident.

Following correspondance from parish councillor Rob Rainbow and Stocklinch villager Rosemary Gallagher, Dora Hallett, who lives in Atherstone, has also written in with her grievances.

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IS THIS the worst road in Somerset?

The road between Stocklinch and Whitelackington has been in an appalling state for more than a year.

After heavy rain, the road is completely underwater for almost a quarter of a mile and impassable for most cars.

Even now, after a period of dry weather, the road remains partly flooded and peppered with deep and dangerous hidden potholes.

This is a busy road that is used not only by the two villages but also by a considerable number of vehicles cutting through from the B3168 to the A303.

Numerous attempts by Stocklinch Parish Council and villagers to get the road repaired and the drains properly cleared has had little or no effect, despite visits from council road engineers.

Why is that other roads such as that at Ashill has been completely resurfaced while this one remains untouched?

Is it the intention of Somerset County Council to use flooding and potholes as a means of traffic calming or is Stocklinch simply a forgotten backwater?

The road is rapidly becoming impassable and unusable. Is this the worst road in Somerset?

Rob Rainbow, Stocklinch Parish Councillor and resident for over 40 years

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REGARDING the state of the road between Stocklinch and Whitelackington.
Briefly, it is a single track road and is the main route from Whitelackington through Stocklinch.

For over a year there have been flooding problems which have caused huge potholes. The council won’t/can’t mend the potholes when they are full of water, which was the case even last summer.

It was then established there was a water leak which took Wessex Water months to locate and fix.

Ever since, there is still water on the road with no-one claiming responsibility for it. The potholes are now very deep but cannot be seen because they are under water.

Several cars have been damaged going through the water. It is also a cycle route so could cause serious injuries to an unsuspecting cyclist.

Despite daily phone calls to the Highways Department and asking Christopher Le Hardy and Derek Yeoman (local councillors) to intervene, the potholes are getting worse.

Rob Rainbow had a letter published in your paper two weeks ago about the road with a photo asking if it was the worst road in Somerset.

The villagers of Stocklinch think it is!

Rosemary Gallagher

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I COMPLETELY agree with Rosemary Gallagher and Rob Rainbow. I have lived in Atherstone (a hamlet just off this road) for over 50 years and have never seen it in such a state.

I now don’t drive along this road fearing that I might damage my car, so have to do quite a long detour through narrow lanes to avoid it. It is now almost impossible to walk along it because you get splashed if a vehicle comes along. Why with all the modern technology can’t the problem be traced?

Maybe Mr Fysh would reply to these letters or better still have a site meeting the residents concerned.

Dora Hallett

If you have a letter or want to share your opinion, please send them in to newsdesk@chardandilminsternews.co.uk or write to Letters, Chard and Ilminster News, 44 St James Street, Taunton, TA1 4JR