Pothole disaster imminent, say campaigners

THE UK’S recent tempestuous weather is set to create the worst pothole catastrophe the country has ever seen, according to campaigners.

Freezing conditions are being forecast for the end of January, and road condition campaign website potholes.co.uk is predicting a ‘perfect storm’ of potholes if the forecasts prove correct.

With the Met Office confirming that southern England received double the average amount of rainfall during December, persistent heavy rain and floods have created the basis for a disastrous season of crumbling roads.

Warranty Direct, which offers aftermarket warranty cover for cars out of their manufacturers’ warranties, owns and operates potholes.co.uk.

Rory Buckley, representing the website, said: “This wet weather will be saturating roads right across the UK with existing potholes channelling water to weaken the road’s substructure, literally paving the way for even more potholes and defects to arise.”

He continued: “The worst is yet to come.”

Analysis of the firm’s own 2013 figures showed that 6.6% of cars had suffered axle or suspension damage linked to potholes; a figure up from 4% in 2010.

Heavy rain can undermine the structure of the road itself, leading to the disintegration of the surface under the wheels of countless passing vehicles.

Buckley adds: “Potholes and other road defects can cause sudden jarring or regular jarring which accelerates wear and tear to axle and suspension components, often leading to failure.

“Damage to wheel rims and punctured tyres are also a common fault of potholes.”

By Press Association reporters