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Wet Weather Exposes Roads to Pothole Peril
10 Mar
Summary
- Pothole-related breakdowns rose to over 6,000 last month.
- Standing water hid potholes, causing a spike in vehicle damage.
- Some regions experienced their wettest winter since 1836.
Vehicle breakdowns attributed to potholes saw a dramatic increase last month, with over 6,290 incidents reported. This surge is largely due to extensive standing water on roads, which concealed numerous potholes. The daily average number of such breakdowns was more than three times higher than in February of the previous year.
This challenging road condition is a consequence of a particularly wet winter across the UK. Provisional data indicates that England received 42% more rainfall than usual between December and February. Notably, Cornwall, Leicestershire, and the West Midlands recorded their wettest winters since comparable records commenced in 1836.
Common vehicle issues stemming from pothole impacts include distorted wheels, damaged shock absorbers, and broken suspension springs, with repair costs potentially reaching £590. While councils are actively working on repairs, factors like weather and budget pressures influence the speed of fixes. The Department for Transport is providing a record £7.3 billion over four years to assist councils with road maintenance.
