Complaint after cyclist ‘falls over defective manhole cover’ in Peterborough

It has been alleged that the cover was “defective” at the time of the incident in Eagle Way, Hampton, on July 5, 2020.

The reported incident is now being investigated by Anglian Water which declined to comment when approached by the Peterborough Telegraph.

No details, including whether there were any injuries to the cyclist or claims for compensation, have been made public by the water company.

It has also not been confirmed where on Eagle Way the alleged incident took place.

However, public documents show a complaint was made to Peterborough City Council on July 5, 2020, relating to an incident in Eagle Way at the Hampton Centre.

The complainant said: “Whilst riding my bike as I went over the cover it flipped up as it is loose and caused me to come off my bike and hit my face on the black railings on the side which has caused swelling and bruising to my face.”

The council said it alerted Anglian Water to the issue on the day it received the report.

Two further complaints were also received by the council between July 2019 and July 2020 relating to Eagle Way in Hampton Vale.

One claimed there were “bricks damaged around manhole covers” at the junction of Magistrates Road and Chaffinch Lane, adding: “The bricks are all loose and the cars are making it worse.”

This was from January 7, 2020 and the council said it had reported the issue to Anglian Water the day before receiving the report.

The other complaint, which was received on January 11, 2020, was for the same place. It states: “The noise that’s made when a car drives over the manhole cover can be heard over 400m away. I would say it has sunk over 10cm and has been getting worse rapidly.

“I would like to upload a video so you can hear it but this website won’t allow me. I first heard the noise about December 15, 2019.

“The manhole cover has sunk further over the last week.”