Fed up with waiting for council action, a resourceful father from West Sussex has taken road maintenance into his own hands with a brilliantly British solution to a persistent pothole problem.
Michael Smith, 44, became so exasperated with a dangerous crater on his local road in Horsham that he decided to create his own temporary fix - using an unexpected household item that's sparked both laughter and admiration from his community.
The Great British Pothole Crisis
Like thousands of drivers across the UK, Michael had watched the pothole gradually worsen over several months, reporting it multiple times to local authorities without success. "It was becoming genuinely dangerous," Michael explained. "Cars were swerving to avoid it, and I worried about cyclists and pedestrians too."
With council repair teams overwhelmed by the sheer volume of road defects across the county, the hole continued to expand, becoming a proper nuisance for local residents.
A Stroke of DIY Genius
Rather than continue waiting, Michael came up with a characteristically British approach to the problem. His solution? A carefully placed garden gnome, complete with a miniature warning sign, positioned right in the centre of the pothole.
"I thought if the council wouldn't fix it properly, at least I could make it visible and give people a smile in the process," Michael told local reporters. The gnome, holding a tiny 'Danger' sign, immediately became a local landmark.
Community Reaction
Neighbours have embraced Michael's unconventional approach to civic improvement. One local resident commented: "It's actually worked better than anything the council has done - everyone slows down to look at the gnome, so it's made the road safer!"
Another added: "It's typical British ingenuity - when official channels fail, we find creative solutions. Michael's become something of a local legend."
Council Response
West Sussex County Council has since acknowledged the reporting delay, citing "unprecedented demand" for road repairs following recent weather conditions. A spokesperson confirmed the pothole has now been added to their repair schedule.
Meanwhile, Michael's garden gnome continues its temporary duty, highlighting a problem faced by communities across Britain and proving that sometimes, a little creativity can make all the difference to road safety.
