British Carpenter's Hilarious Prank on Potholes Gets Local Officials to Take Action

Meet James Coxall, a 41-year-old carpenter from Castle Camps, a quaint village in Cambridgeshire, England. Known for his playful spirit, James decided to take matters into his own hands when he grew tired of the potholes plaguing his local roads.

On February 23, James set up a cheeky prank that would grab the attention of local officials. He placed a pair of fake legs, dressed in jeans and colorful sneakers, in a large puddle formed by a pothole on Haverhill Road. This creative stunt was born out of frustration after the pothole had remained unrepaired for a staggering eight months.

According to James, while the road isn’t particularly busy, drivers faced a dilemma: either stop to avoid the pothole or risk hitting it head-on if they encountered oncoming traffic. This situation was not only annoying but also posed a safety risk for everyone using the road.

Determined to inject some humor into the situation, James enlisted the help of his wife and kids. They rummaged through their old clothes and rags to create the amusing pair of legs. “The shoes were going to charity anyway, so we thought we’d give them an outing first,” James explained. He stuffed the jeans with rags and used wood to ensure the legs stood upright, creating a sight that was hard to miss.

Once the legs were in place, with the feet sticking up in the air and a brick to weigh them down, James snapped a photo and shared it on the Facebook group, Odd Things Around Cambridge, as well as another local Haverhill group. The post quickly gained traction, earning him a flurry of likes and comments from amused locals.

“It’s just a bit of fun, and I’ve had lots of messages about it,” James said, reflecting on the positive response. “People seem to like it around here, but then, I am known as a bit of a joker.” His lighthearted approach to a serious issue resonated with many in the community.

As it turns out, James’s prank didn’t just entertain; it also prompted action. The Cambridgeshire County Council took notice and informed the media that one of their highways officers would inspect the road, with repairs to be made as necessary. They also encouraged residents to utilize their online pothole reporting tool to address similar issues in the future.