Pothole peril: Breakdowns jump to a three-year high

THE number of breakdowns caused by potholes has hit a three-year high, bringing misery to thousands of motorists.

The increase in the total in the second quarter of the year came after ‘The Beast from the East’ a blast of icy weather in late winter broke up roads.

Analysis of data from the RAC showed that it received 4,091 call-outs between April and June for damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs or distorted wheels – faults caused by poor road surfaces.

And the RAC Pothole Index also showed that the total was the most for the second quarter of the year since 2015. The motoring organisation’s index has had five successive quarters of deterioration. But the index – which began in 2006 – remains well below the peak of early 2010.

David Bizley, the RAC’s chief engineer, said: ‘Councils have been working hard to fix potholes, but despite further emergency funding from central government, their budgets are even more stretched than in previous years. They are not winning the battle and as a result the safety of too many drivers, cyclists and motorcyclists is being put at risk.’

The Local Government Association said councils ‘are fixing a pothole every 21 seconds’, but needed ‘long-term government investment’ in local road maintenance.