Driving instructor raises fears for Cambridgeshire roads as pothole breakdowns jump
New figures show breakdowns caused by potholes jumped by almost 10%
Last updated 23rd Apr 2024
A driving instructor in Cambridgeshire fears the state of our roads will only continue to get worse.
Figures from the RAC found the number of vehicle breakdowns caused by potholes jumped by almost 10% to 27,205 between 1st April, 2023 and 31st March, 2024 compared to the year before.
In the last year, the RAC said it attended 7,904 breakdowns in the first three months of 2024 due to bad road surfaces, which is up 53% on the last three months of 2023.
"I don't want to have to cancel lessons"
Anthony Georgiou's from GGO Driving School:
"With my pupils driving, it's something added on planning ahead that they've got to deal with so they're not damaging the tyres or suspension," he said.
"For myself, I don't want to have to cancel lessons because I've got damaged tyres.
"It's very difficult for them to keep control of the car as they try to avoid potholes or damaged road surfaces, so it's an extra layer of teaching I've got to add on to help them out."
Pothole callouts down on last year
Pothole-related callouts were down in the first three months of this year according to the RAC, dropping by 22% from 10,076 last year to 7,094 in 2024.
The company said the drop is down to milder weather, where usually during the winter months, sub-zero temperatures normally lead to more cracks in the road, which water would enter before it freezes and expands.
Common vehicle problems caused by potholes include damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels.
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: "It's important not to lose sight of the bigger picture and the ongoing miserable state of our roads.
"The analysis clearly shows drivers are now twice as likely to suffer a breakdown due to sub-standard road surfaces as they were in 2006.
"We feel drivers have dodged the pothole bullet as the lack of widespread sub-zero temperatures has masked the true state of our roads."
£8.3 billion to help improve our roads
A Department for Transport spokesperson said it would support local highways authorities with £8.3bn of reallocated HS2 funding over the next 10 years to help improve roads.
“(This is) the biggest ever increase in funding for local road improvements which comes on top of an existing £5.5bn fund," said the spokesperson.
“Local authorities received the first £150m of this increase within weeks of announcing our additional funding in October, and will receive a further £150m this year to continue improving local roads.”
Last month, Cambridgeshire County Council announced it would be investing in improving roads and footpaths as part of a £40m scheme.
"With the cost of living and prices going up, paying for new tyres or suspension or any damage to the car is another big problem that's not needed," Anthony added.
"I've deliberately got cars that are higher up off the road so if I did catch any potholes, there'd be less effect from the damage but it's very difficult to avoid every single pothole."