For several months, residents in a small English village found themselves navigating an ever-worsening pothole problem that seemed to have no end in sight. Despite numerous complaints and pleas for help, their concerns were met with silence from local officials. It was a frustrating situation, one that left many feeling helpless—except for one man who decided enough was enough. Rather than continue to wait for change, 41-year-old carpenter James Coxall chose to take a different approach, using humor and creativity to bring attention to a problem that had been ignored for far too long. His hilarious and imaginative prank not only made people laugh but also got the attention of the very officials who had previously turned a blind eye.
On February 23, James Coxall staged his eye-catching prank on Haverhill Road in Castle Camps, Cambridgeshire. Using an old pair of jeans, some worn-out clothes, a few rags, and a pair of sneakers, he constructed what appeared to be a set of human legs sticking straight up out of a massive, water-filled pothole. The effect was startlingly realistic, as if someone had fallen in headfirst and vanished beneath the surface. It was impossible not to notice, and that was exactly his goal. The prank quickly caught the eye of locals who passed by, and soon enough, photos of the display were making the rounds on social media, sparking both laughter and serious conversation.
According to Coxall, the potholes along that stretch of road had been a major problem for about eight months. Even though it wasn’t a major roadway with heavy traffic, it was a key route for village residents, and the potholes posed real risks. Drivers were forced to make a choice: slam on the brakes to avoid damaging their vehicles or risk swerving into oncoming traffic just to steer clear of the gaping holes. And with no action being taken by local authorities despite repeated reports, frustration had hit a breaking point. That’s when Coxall decided it was time to get creative. He told the BBC that he wanted to “have a bit of fun” while making a serious point about the state of the road.
With the help of his wife and kids, Coxall gathered materials from around his home. The jeans were stuffed with rags, and pieces of wood were used to give the legs structure so they would stand upright. For the final touch, he added an old pair of sneakers that, as he joked, had been destined for charity but were now getting “an outing” of their own. He placed the legs into the center of the pothole and anchored the entire setup with a brick to keep it from tipping over. Once the display was ready, he snapped a picture and shared it on two local Facebook groups—Odd Things Around Cambridge and a Haverhill community page. The reaction was immediate. Locals flooded the comment sections with amusement and praise, sharing the post widely and turning what had started as a playful joke into a viral moment.
What Coxall didn’t anticipate was how quickly his prank would lead to real action. While his display brought a good laugh to his fellow villagers, it also caught the attention of Cambridgeshire County Council. The growing social media attention prompted the council to release a statement, announcing that a highways officer would be sent to inspect the road and that necessary repairs would follow. Additionally, they reminded residents of their online reporting tool for potholes—although many locals felt this method had fallen flat in the past, making Coxall’s inventive approach all the more impactful.
Coxall’s prank demonstrates the power of humor and creativity when it comes to community activism. While potholes are a common headache in towns and cities everywhere, his playful but pointed protest turned the issue from a private frustration into a public conversation, ultimately forcing local officials to respond. It’s proof that sometimes thinking outside the box—and having a good sense of humor—can make all the difference in getting things done.
Looking back on the experience, Coxall remains amused by how quickly the prank gained traction. He never expected it to go viral, but he’s happy it made people smile and even happier that it led to real action. For now, he’s hopeful that Haverhill Road will finally get the repairs it desperately needs, and that maybe his prank will serve as a reminder to local officials not to ignore their residents’ concerns. Sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity, some old jeans, and a sense of humor to spark change.
