The central gutter of the Bannerschultestraat in the center of Sleen is being tackled quickly. After the European Cycling Championships next week, Coevorden will replace or repair the cause of falls and flooding.
The municipality of Coevorden is taking action after several falls by cyclists and persistent complaints from entrepreneurs and residents about poor water drainage in the Slener center. The raised ridge with a thin gully in the narrow and busy street is especially feared in the village after rainfall.
Three recent falls
The repair work could actually have been done at the beginning of this summer, but in consultation with entrepreneurs and Dorpsbelangen Sleen-Diphoorn, the opening of the street has been postponed beyond the busy summer season and next week’s European Cycling Championships. The road is then an important traffic artery for detouring motorists and scheduled buses.
The municipality has already made emergency repairs this summer, installed warning signs and held regular inspections. That did not prevent three recent falls, known to this newspaper, due to the gutter.
At the end of August, an elderly woman suffered a head injury after being hit at the intersection of Schaapstreek and Bannerschultestraat. Councilor Erik Holties visited her sick and the cyclist is now doing well.
Last week, an overtaking attempt by a younger woman ended in the ditch and a cyclist also recently came into unwanted contact with the vowels of Sleen.
Factory defect
The culprit of the problem is the sagging clinkers caused by the sand washing away after showers. This causes the conductor to be positioned a little higher on the road.
The municipality of Coevorden speaks of a factory defect and is in consultation with the contractor about repairing or completely replacing the gutter. Next week, the council will face an external study into which choice is wise. The slot can then be repaired or exchanged at the end of September or beginning of October.
In any case, entrepreneurs and local residents hope for a completely new gutter. According to them, earlier patchwork provided little relief. Besides the fear of falls, they are particularly disappointed by the nuisance caused by rainwater. “Do you know those videos of such a large wave of water as a car crashes through a puddle? That could easily be Sleen after a wet day,” says an employee of the local bakery.
There’s no point in patchwork
The offending road is also a topic of discussion for the fish cart. “They have been on their knees here so many times for repairs. As long as that bitch is there, it will remain misery,” says a grumbling fish eater.
According to a spokesperson for the municipality, ‘patchwork is pointless’ and the chosen solution should combat nuisance in the longer term. The board of Dorpsbelangen has stated that it is closely involved in the plans and is pleased with the planned work later this month.