A creative dad in Cambridgeshire, James Coxall, took matters into his own hands by fashioning a pair of fake legs and placing them in a notorious pothole on Haverhill Road in Stapleford. The three-foot-wide, four-inch deep hole had been a nuisance for eight long months, prompting Mr. Coxall to team up with his wife, Katrina, and three children for a quirky solution.
Crafting the leg props out of old rags, jeans, and children’s shoes, Mr. Coxall humorously addressed the issue that had plagued their village. “We’ve driven past the pothole and kept meaning to do something with it,” he shared, shedding light on the community’s frustration with the local road conditions. With a brick to keep the fake legs upright, the family’s lighthearted act garnered attention from passersby, who found amusement in the creative approach.
Despite the council’s attempts to repair potholes in the area, Mr. Coxall emphasized that the roads remained subpar, calling for more thorough and lasting solutions. “They need to come out and do them properly. Whenever they do a repair, it never seems to last,” he expressed, echoing the sentiments of many residents.
Social media served as a platform for Mr. Coxall to share his whimsical creation, sparking a wave of positive responses and engagement from the online community. “It’s just a bit of fun, and I’ve had lots of messages about it,” he remarked, underscoring the light-hearted nature of his initiative. Known for his humor within the village, Mr. Coxall’s fake leg display was met with praise and comparisons to popular TV comedies, showcasing the impact of his quirky gesture.
Joanna Anscombe Bell described the stunt as “Amazingly funny. Great stunt with dummy legs… should start writing sitcoms on TV,” while BeeBee drew parallels to beloved characters like the “Vicar of Dibley” portrayed by Dawn French. The positive reception highlighted the community’s appreciation for Mr. Coxall’s creative approach to addressing a common issue.
In response to the whimsical display, Cambridgeshire County Council encouraged residents to report potholes through their online reporting tool, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in road maintenance and safety. As Mr. Coxall’s fake legs brought attention to the persisting problem, the council’s call to action aimed to streamline the process of identifying and repairing road hazards.
By infusing humor and creativity into a mundane issue, James Coxall showcased the power of community engagement and lighthearted initiatives to draw attention to local concerns. As residents continue to navigate the challenges of road maintenance, his unconventional approach serves as a reminder of the impact of individual actions in sparking broader conversations and inspiring change.
