Wiltshire Man Highlights Pothole Crisis with Beans on Toast Stunt

A young campaigner from Wiltshire has taken a creative approach to raise awareness about the persistent pothole problem in his community. On a recent afternoon, Ben Thornbury, 20, turned a pothole on Michael Pyms Road in Malmesbury into a serving of beans on toast, a quintessential English dish. Using 30 tins of baked beans and two slices of toast topped with cheese, Thornbury aimed to draw attention to the deteriorating state of local roads.

The stunt, which took place near Swindon, quickly garnered attention from passersby. Thornbury humorously remarked, “I guess you could say this has bean a success.” He also noted the financial aspect, stating, “Thank God I get a discount from the shop as I would have been able to feed my whole family with that amount of beans.”

Beyond the light-heartedness of the event, Thornbury is serious about addressing the issue of potholes. He has initiated a petition directed at local authorities, urging them to take action on the extensive pothole crisis affecting his town. “I decided to do something a little out of the ordinary to draw attention to an issue that affects us all,” he explained.

Community Support and Awareness

Witnesses to the stunt were supportive, with many offering encouragement and positive feedback. “They gave me a thumbs-up and said what a great idea it was,” Thornbury shared. The community’s response reassured him that there is a collective recognition of the need for change.

“This light-hearted gesture had a serious message behind it,” he added. “It’s time for our local and national authorities to take responsibility and fix the roads properly once and for all.”

Thornbury’s approach is reminiscent of other creative protests against potholes. In 2023, another individual, Mark Morell, known as Mr. Pothole, drew attention to the same issue by filling potholes with Pot O’Noodles. Morell, who has campaigned against potholes for over a decade, has employed various stunts, including cooking lunches in potholes and using floating plastic ducks to illustrate the severity of the situation.

The ongoing pothole crisis remains a pressing concern across the UK, affecting not only drivers but also the overall safety of road users. As communities like Malmesbury grapple with this challenge, creative protests such as those by Thornbury and Morell continue to highlight the urgent need for action and accountability from local governments.

Thornbury’s unique demonstration serves as a reminder that even simple acts can effectively spotlight significant issues, encouraging dialogue and prompting necessary changes in local infrastructure.