Posted on 03/15/2022 4:59:32 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Rod Stewart stole hearts with his viral road-repair video this week, but at least one party was less than impressed: Essex Highways.
The 77-year-old rocker on Saturday shared a video that showed him grabbing a shovel and helping to fill potholes on a damaged road. Stewart, who was dressed in the training gear of Scotland's Celtic Football Club, said he was spurred to action because he couldn't drive his Ferrari over the pothole-scarred road.
"This is the road near where I live in Harlow, and it's been like this for ages," Stewart lamented. "And the other day there was an ambulance with a burst tire. My Ferrari can't go through here at all. So me and the boys thought we'd come and do it ourselves. So this is what we're doing, filling in the holes, while millions and millions of pounds have been spent on the M11," referring to another nearby motorway.
He added: "I'm repairing the street where I live because no one can bother to do it!"
While many praised Stewart's initiative, a spokesperson for Essex Highways advised people not to follow the singer's lead, as they could put themselves at risk.
"While we would like to prioritize repairs to every road, the scale of our network — over 5,000 miles — means this is impossible, and we have to focus on repairing defects likely to be most detrimental to the safety of our road users," a spokesperson told HuffPost.
"While we appreciate Sir Rod’s commitment and community spirit, we discourage anyone from carrying out work on the roads themselves," the spokesperson continued. "Without proper traffic management and other specific safety measures, residents are putting themselves and others at risk."
Stewart's efforts were nevertheless a huge hit and led to plenty of puns incorporating lyrics from his biggest hits. Lest the singer feels discouraged by Essex Highways' scolding, perhaps one of his famous characters can lend a hand. As broadcast journalist James Hoggarth tweeted: "If Rod can’t fix it Maggie may."
job security
XD
Ferrari’s and many other low vehicles will not fare well in the future, as our roads in the U.S. continue to be in disrepair while the politicians loot the money for other interests.
Next time those in S.CA are caught in bumper to bumper crawling traffic, look down, take a good look a those freeway surfaces. They’re obliterated, shot, crumbing and cracked to hell.
All these large diameter rims with super low profile tires (even on SUVs now!) are a “jobs” program for wheel repair and replacement outfits.
An Essex bureaucrat whining excuses never has filled a pothole. Or anything useful, just a waste of oxygen, and so should stand in the forest and apologize to the trees.
Stewart is being a good steward.
I recall years ago how NYC road crews were always on top of the potholes but into the repair went a little diesel oil. To make sure the repairs would have to be redone…
Hot mix, you wear me out
I love ya,babee!!
I know somebody’s not serious at all when I see a 4WD truck with those ridiculous wheels on it!
You bet, low profile tires look ugly as hell on SUV’s then add heavy chrome wheels...Looks south of the border. I find it very odd when people try to make sports cars out of SUV’s.
When I heard of this I fully expected the road department to have a hissy fit, declare Sir Rod’s repair to be substandard without looking at them and dig up all the new asphalt making the potholes even bigger.
Like putting a spoilers on a mid-size sedan. No, your 4 cylinder Accord isn't ready for Daytona time trials.
In LA we called spoilers, “Carrying handles”.
Putting loose gravel in a pothole is about as useful as wearing a mask to stop a virus.
“ He showed up the bureaucrats and they are most displeased!”
I bet the wish they had never seen his face!
Rod looks amazing. And I love how many old Brits are red pilled. Clapton. Daltrey. Clease. Van Morrison (yeah I know he’s Irish but whatevs.) They are so sick of this shit
The morning sun when it’s in your surface really shows your age...
For good measure, he should bang the beaucrats wife.
” Whale tails”
The emperor does not like his nudity exposed.
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