Record rise in pothole related breakdowns with South East seeing the most
The RAC has described some roads as resembling 'the surface of the moon'
A record rise in pothole-related breakdowns on UK roads has been recorded.
The RAC said many roads resemble the surface of the moon'' after receiving 4,694 call-outs for vehicles likely damaged by potholes between January and March.
The South East saw the most call outs with 783- but the RAC says this is in line with population density.
Some 2.4% of all call-outs attended by its patrols between January and March were for pothole-related issues such as distorted wheels, broken suspension springs or damaged shock absorbers.
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes described many roads as being in a "desperate state'', which indicates that some councils are "simply patching up potholes rather than fixing them properly'':
"Many drivers are finding themselves having to use roads that in places better resemble the surface of the moon.''
Mr Lyes said the particularly cold start to the year caused "extensive damage'', as potholes are formed by water seeping into cracks and expanding when frozen.
He has reiterated calls to give local authorities ring-fenced funds over a five-year period for longer-term road maintenance, urging the Government and councils to "commit to doing something differently''.
A spokesman for the Local Government Association said:
"Despite the pandemic, councils have been working hard to repair our roads, fixing a pothole every 19 seconds as well as supporting an increase in other infrastructure through temporary road measures.
"Councils want to continue to improve our roads and deliver the infrastructure improvements that allow people to move around in less carbon-intensive and more sustainable ways.''