Noisy manhole covers? (2026 Update)

Jethro_uk wrote on 26/03/2021 :

It would certainly have an impact, if anyone drove into it, or tried to give it a kick :-)

Which is why I said don't get caught. That particular action is, perhaps, a PITA for the repair team who might have to do a complete replacement where they could have got away with repointing the frame. I can't see how it increases the risk for drivers, in fact if the frame is cracked then it might reduce the chance or consequences of failure.

If the noise is *sufficiently* annoying and the councils are particularly unhelpful then you might have a defence in the remote chance of ending up before a magistrate.

I can think of other cases where sensible "d-i-y" temporary remediation of faults could fall into the rather broad classification of "criminal damage", but nevertheless actually be quite reasonable.

And Blink-2 cameras. Good point!

On the way back from our walk earlier we came across a square manhole cover on the pavement that 'looked' like it was made up of two triangles so I explained to the Mrs that the idea that therefore it wouldn't wobble. So I stood on it and of course it rocked backward and forward like a goodun! ;-(

Looking closer I don't think it was two separate triangles but one piece with a diagonal line across it. ;-)

Cheer, T i m

On the way our way out earlier I spotted a blue frame packer on the ground (after they were mentioned here) and picked it up ... and on the way back, tried it in the gap round the manhole but the action wasn't as I thought, in that it seems to be rocking directly vertically at that point (so the packing piece would have to go under the edge of the cover and on the frame).

So it feels more like something solid (a stone?) has been trapped under the horizontal part of the cover / frame near one corner and its just pivoting on that.

Along your train of thought, if a couple of us could mark off / manage the area long enough to simply pull the lid, sweep out the frame and the outer edge of the underside of the cover and plop it back into place, I can't see anyone complaining (especially if it fixes the noise etc).

The only issue would be if we dropped the cover down the hole and then had to stand there protecting the hole till help arrived. ;-(

Maybe we could get one of the stripy tents the Post Office use and do it under the cover of that. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

I'm not sure what they did but I got an email a few days ago informing me that they had 'dealt with my enquiry'.

That prompted me to listen out for the noise and I couldn't hear anything (when I knew cars would have gone over it etc).

When we went out to walk the dog last night I went and inspected the manhole and it was obvious it was all new and there was a 200mm wide border of fresh Tarmac round the outside. It was also the case for one a few meters away so it looks like they had changed two.

Upon reflection, I did hear something 'going on' in that area a few days ago (like the sound of petrol disk cutters) and saw a large vehicle parked up but it looked like they were able to do both without having to stop the traffic (the junction to that road is opposite ours and that's normally where they put any 'Road closed type signs).

I did report a cover that was hanging off a lamp post a while back and the reply was 'Low priority' so I stuck it back on as I went past the next time. The latches that hook into the aperture at the bottom had been broken off (and so why it wouldn't typically stay closed) but I managed to wedge it in place and it's seemed to have stayed on ever since. I might take a big cable tie with me next time and fit it on 'better'. ;-)

It's the same with all the small green cabinets (Cabletel > NTL > VM) that have a lid that seems to hook on at the top and then lock down at the bottom. I don't think there are many round here that aren't open, as in they are hooked on but not locked down? Similar position with the medium sized cabinets that have two doors (with one door swinging about in the wind). I would love to go round and sort them all out properly, even if it's to protect my own cable BB service. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

Can anyone suggest how I can get a repair to one outside my home actioned? It is torture 24/7 it clanks and bangs. I have tried local highways, local councillor, MP, Environment (apparently it us the wrong type of noise for them). After several months I am out of ideas and desperate now 😡

How likely are you to be spotted if you take direct action? On a dry night, lift one side, fill the accessible parts of the groove with no more nails, release and repeat for the other side. Have a poker face ready should you get a visit, now that your name is attached to it. "It got quieter 3 months ago so I stopped bothering".

It's only a 6 month old posting.

The *original* posting was, this followup was today.

The *original* poster will be grateful for your input.

If neighbours here it, all go out with a big sledge hammer and break it then put one of those self healing blue paint lines around it and some cones.

grin. Brian

More likely the drought is the reason they are more noisy after work because dirt has not got washed into the space between the frame and cover yet

If its like the road resurfacing work near me. All the manhole covers and top plinths being replaced, but no concrtete batching/ cement mixer seen. Whatever the bedding-in "concrete" is it comes in hundreds of plastic tubs

Its all those heavy electric cars. Pounding them into the ground like a steam hammer

I get that you are not fond of electric cars, but I find it hard to believe that many of them have a higher axle weight than the HGVs generally responsible for this kind of damage.

Depending on the road, there could be far more electric cars than lorries. But, I agree with you that TNP is not being rational about this.

Depends on the road. I managed to get some local potholes fixed. The tractors went over OK - tyres bridged the gaps - low PSI , but the seemingly unsprung trailers full of toms of straw were definitely doing real damage.

Of course I was only teasing, but yes, EVs ARE causing more road damage in cities where HGVs are banned

It's Yet Another Hidden Cost of NutZero

I wasn't being serious either. Just making a point that EVs do not have the sun shining out of their battery vents