Ref. 28612-16Motorists, who were left stranded after their cars struck a monster pothole, are demanding to know why the council did not issue warnings.

About a dozen cars were damaged on Monday evening as they passed over the pothole, which was 18 inches deep, on the B4005 off Hay Lane.

Nicholas Ashton, 25, who lives in Savill Crescent, Wroughton, is one of those facing a hefty repair bill.

Mr Ashton, a physiotherapist, said it was a miracle no one was seriously hurt.

He said: "It was 5pm when I noticed at least a dozen drivers parked along the side of the road inspecting their cars.

"I thought it was a bit strange but carried on. The next thing I knew one of the tyres blew. Fortunately, I managed to get the car back under control and pulled over.

"It was certainly a scary moment. If any motorcyclist had hit it they would not have stood a chance they would have come straight off." Now Mr Ashton wants to know why Wiltshire County Council, which was told about the problem at 3.30pm, didn't put up warning notices before repairs were carried out at 7.30pm.

He said: "I think it is totally irresponsible. Signs should have been put up. You can see potholes during daylight but at night you just can't spot them until it's too late.

"The police should also have been called."

Mr Ashton's father, Bob, 60, said he alerted the council in June and claims repairs were unsatisfactory.

"I want to make it clear that this is an ongoing problem," he said.

"The council came in the summer and didn't do a proper job. They simply put a bit of filler in.

"Then a few months down the line when the weather turns bad, the rain washes it away again."

Wiltshire County Council spokesman Adam Butcher said temporary repairs had been carried out with a view to finding a long-term solution.

He said: "When we received the call in the afternoon we organised a repair team to go out there.

"The job was completed within four hours of that call which is a good time.

"It seems likely more substantial repairs will be needed, which could mean re-surfacing that stretch of road."

Mr Butcher said the problem was linked to bad weather and heavy traffic.

"Unfortunately, a lot of traffic uses the road to access the garden centre in Hay Lane.

"In addition, sometimes heavy rain can undo the work within a matter of hours as it washes out the filler."

Kevin Shoesmith