Motorists threatened by new plague of potholes across the UK
URGENT action is needed to prevent an unprecedented epidemic of potholes on Britain’s roads, motoring experts say.
Potholes are causing more and more breakdowns in the UK
The RAC issued the warning last night in response to today’s third National Pothole Day.
It recorded a 24 per cent rise in the number of pothole-related breakdowns between October and December last year compared with the same period in 2015.
It is the first annual increase for the last quarter of a year since 2013. The incidents included damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels.
RAC chief engineer David Bizley described the increase as “particularly worrying” because rainfall – which can be a catalyst for potholes – between October and December was the lowest for that period in over a decade.
He said: “If the first three months of 2017 prove to be both wet and cold, potholes are likely to appear at an unprecedented rate which would stretch local authority repair resources to their limit.”
Mr Bizley said “urgent remedial repairs” are needed.
Potholes are likely to appear due to the cold, wet weather the UK is experiencing
World's worst potholes inspire nightmare road
The Government must give authorities the tools they need to fill potholes
"It is insufficient investment in preventative maintenance, such as resurfacing, which is ultimately to blame.”
An AA survey to mark National Pothole Day found that a fifth of motorists would even volunteer to fill a pothole themselves.
It said: “If we are ever going to get a handle on the situation, the Government must give authorities the tools they need to fill potholes.”
The AA has urged the Government to provide more money to fix potholes on British roads
The Department for Transport has committed £6billion to improve local roads over the current Parliament, in addition to a £50million-a-year pothole fund.
On Friday it unveiled plans for cameras to be put on bin lorries to spot problems before they become potholes.