- Awful road conditions and heavy rain hiding potholes from
plain sight
- Additional 225 breakdowns a day with blowouts, punctures and
suspension damage common
- “On safety grounds alone… our residential streets need a
massive cash injection” says AA president
Since the beginning of November, the AA has attended an
additional 225 breakdowns a day which have been caused by
potholes.
The UK’s number one breakdown provider* has seen a rise in
pothole related breakdowns since the start of the month, with
heavy rain and standing water hiding potholes from plain sight.
While the damage caused to cars is often an expensive
inconvenience, rain-obscured potholes can be fatal for cyclists
and motorcyclists. With Road Safety Week well underway, the AA is
warning drivers and riders to beware of the road surface lurking
underneath standing water.
The AA is also urging the chancellor and prime minister to at the
very least maintain local roads maintenance funding with their
Budget announcement on Thursday. Recently released Coroner’s
reports identify how two cyclists sadly lost their lives due to
potholes and the local authorities failings in monitoring and
repairing the road***.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “Potholes hidden by rainfall are
one of the worst things all road users must overcome when they
head out.
“Well hidden potholes, deeper than expected, and with the ability
to cause monumental damage mean our crumbling roads are
deteriorating at a rapid rate.
“An additional 225 pothole related breakdowns a day in November
alone is shocking and will only worsen as more rain is predicted
and the weather turns cold – causing more damage along the way.
“On safety grounds alone, we need to see local road investment
maintained, but the reality is our residential streets need a
massive cash injection. Hopefully the chancellor and prime
minister can level up our roads on Thursday.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
* Why we're best for breakdown |
The AA
** Charles Stringer:
Prevention of future deaths report - Courts and Tribunals
Judiciary
Jennifer Dyer: Prevention
of future deaths report - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
