For months, the residents of a small English village had been dealing with a growing problem that just wouldn’t go away—potholes. These weren’t just tiny cracks in the pavement either. They were giant, water-filled craters that seemed to get worse by the day. Drivers were frustrated, cyclists were at risk, and the local government seemed to be turning a blind eye. But one man finally had enough. Instead of filing another complaint or sending another email destined to be ignored, 41-year-old carpenter James Coxall decided to take matters into his own hands, and he did it in a way that no one could overlook. On February 23, James set up a prank so hilarious and attention-grabbing that it immediately got his village—and eventually, local officials—talking.
James lives in Castle Camps, Cambridgeshire, and drives regularly along Haverhill Road, which had become more pothole than road. He explained to the BBC that the potholes had been a problem for at least eight months. Despite residents lodging countless complaints, no repairs had been made. While the road wasn’t a busy highway, it was still a vital route for the locals. Drivers often found themselves slamming on the brakes to avoid the holes or risking damage to their cars as they tried to dodge oncoming traffic. As the problem dragged on, frustration grew. James figured if the authorities weren’t going to fix it anytime soon, he’d try something different. So, with a little help from his wife and kids, he decided to have some fun—and make a point at the same time.
He rummaged through his garage and found an old pair of jeans, which he stuffed with rags to give them shape. To keep them upright, he added some wooden supports. He then finished the setup with an old pair of sneakers that, according to James, were originally supposed to be donated to charity. “We figured we’d give them an outing first,” he joked in his interview. When it was all set, the display looked like a pair of legs sticking straight up out of a massive pothole filled with water—as if someone had fallen right in and disappeared. To make sure his prank wouldn’t fall over, James weighed it down with a brick and positioned it carefully right in the middle of the road’s worst pothole.
After setting up his eye-catching scene, James took a photo and posted it on two local Facebook groups—Odd Things Around Cambridge and a Haverhill community page. It didn’t take long for people to notice. Locals were quick to share the image, and the comments section was flooded with laughter and support. People loved his clever approach to such an annoying issue, and soon, the prank became a viral sensation in the area. What started as a little joke between James and his family quickly became the talk of the village—and, more importantly, it caught the attention of the people who could actually do something about it.
“It’s just a bit of fun,” James told the BBC. “I’ve had lots of messages about it. People seem to like it around here, but then again, I am known as a bit of a joker.” But this prank wasn’t just about getting laughs. It served a real purpose. The growing attention put pressure on the Cambridgeshire County Council, and it worked. Officials soon released a statement confirming that a highways officer would be sent out to inspect the road and that repairs would be made where needed. They also reminded residents that potholes could be reported through their online tool—though many locals probably felt that method hadn’t done much until James stepped in.
James’s hilarious prank proves that sometimes humor is the best way to get people to pay attention. Potholes are a headache in communities all over the world, but James found a way to take that frustration and turn it into something creative and lighthearted. His simple but effective approach not only entertained his neighbors but also got results. Now, thanks to his inventive thinking, there’s a good chance the road in Castle Camps will finally get the repairs it needs.
Looking back, James is amused by how big the reaction has been. He didn’t expect the prank to gain so much traction, but he’s glad it made people smile. And even more, he’s happy it got the attention of those who can actually fix the problem. Sometimes, all it takes is a little humor, a lot of creativity, and a pair of old jeans to get things done.
