AA calls for action on UK potholes

The AA has said pothole-related vehicle damage cases have increased with 10,000 more cases since 2022.

The breakdown firm attended an average of 1,870 pothole-related incidents per day in March alone.

The wettest and coldest March in years did nothing to ease the plight of Britain’s drivers as standing water masked potholes lurking beneath the surface, resulting in a bumper month for tyre centres and garages.

A recent ALARM Survey also revealed there has been a rise in the cost of compensation claims for pothole-related incidents – forcing cash-strapped local authorities to shell out almost £23m over the last 12 months.

The AA is calling for a more structured approach to planned road repairs, where Utility companies and councils work together to plan their maintenance schedules, leading to less disruption for drivers and better standards in the reinstatement of our road surfaces.

The number of potholes filled by local authorities dropped to 1.4 million last year, a fall of 300,000 from the year before.

On average, a pothole is filled every 22 seconds at a cost of £93.7m, but as many of these repairs are reactive, they’re unlikely to last as long as a planned repair where the damaged area around the pothole is cut away and evenly refilled.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “The current pothole plague firmly puts the UK on the road to despair.

"The rise in the number of pothole-related incidents is the number one concern for drivers, motorbike riders and cyclists.

"Persistent cold and wet weather, coupled with poorly planned roadworks means problem roads are undoubtedly getting worse and pothole complaints will not go away until the roads are properly fixed.

“Our patrols attend up to 20 per cent more pothole-related breakdowns in heavy rain, as many potholes are covered by standing water.

"If a vehicle strikes a pothole, the cost of wheel, tyre or suspension damage can run into thousands of pounds, placing further strain on already stretched family budgets."

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