Concern over road condition on popular 60mph route
Concerns about the surface of Old Rhuallt Hill, a 60mph route in Denbighshire, have been raised at county council level after councillors reported potholes and a central rut that they say pose a risk to motorists, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Tremeirchion councillor Chris Evans told Denbighshire County Council the carriageway has deteriorated to the point that the tarmac has opened up and a "big crevice" has formed. He linked the defect to at least two incidents involving cyclists last year and warned a serious collision could occur if the surface is not repaired.
"The tarmac has actually opened up, and there's a big crevice there now. If you get caught in that, cyclists or even cars, it's dangerous,"
The councillor told colleagues the route has been repeatedly reported to highways officers — describing multiple follow-ups — and said the defect is particularly hazardous for two-wheeled road users. He added that the rut can cause a vehicle to be destabilised, increasing the risk of an accident.
Council response and next steps
A Denbighshire County Council spokesperson confirmed the authority will carry out inspections on Old Rhuallt Hill to ascertain if there are any actionable defects and to assess whether the route should be considered for future capital investment.
The spokesperson reiterated that the council takes road maintenance seriously, and set out two ongoing actions:
- Responding to reported potholes and identified defects through its inspection regime.
- Assessing routes for inclusion in future highways capital programmes where appropriate.
Residents were urged to continue using the council's official reporting channels to log highway defects to support the maintenance programme.
Context and local implications
Old Rhuallt Hill carries a 60mph limit and is used by mixed traffic, including commuters and leisure cyclists. The issue comes after the council disclosed that it spent about £46,000 in 2024 settling claims linked to pothole damage — a figure cited by the councillor during the discussion.
For residents this means:
- Inspections will determine whether temporary repairs or a more substantial resurfacing scheme is required.
- If an actionable defect is identified, repairs may be scheduled according to highways priorities and available budget.
- Reporting defects promptly helps the council target limited maintenance resources effectively.
| Issue | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Rhuallt Hill (60mph) |
| Reported problems | Potholes, rutting, a large crevice |
| Reported injuries | Two cyclists injured last year (as cited by councillor) |
| Council action | Inspections to identify actionable defects; assessment for future capital investment |
The pace at which any repair work proceeds will depend on inspection findings and how the route is prioritised relative to other maintenance demands across Denbighshire. For now, highways officers will inspect the carriageway and log their findings against the council's maintenance code of practice.
Residents concerned about the condition of Old Rhuallt Hill or other local roads are advised to report defects through Denbighshire County Council's published reporting lines so they can be added to the inspection regime.
