Motorists have been urged to make sure they report every pothole, road surface crack or blemish they see to their local council in a new push by the AA.
The motoring association said that it has seen a surge in pothole-related breakdowns this year, and has issued the plea to drivers in order for authorities to "understand the true state of our roads". The company received more than 52,000 callouts in April alone to vehicles stranded due to faults that were likely caused by potholes.
This is a 29% increase on the number of pothole-related callouts received by the AA in the same month last year - the company expects 2023 to be the second-worst year on record for road conditions behind 2018 if the current rate of callouts continues. Common problems caused by potholes include damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels.
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The AA said that while councils have a responsibility to inspect local roads on a regular basis, they "cannot be held responsible for a pothole they didn't know about". The cost of bringing pothole-plagued local roads in England and Wales up to scratch has been estimated at £14bn.
Jack Cousens, AA head of roads policy, said: "The pothole pandemic looks set to remain for quite some time, with little hope of a cure on the horizon. In order to help Government and councils understand the true state of our roads, we need the public to report every pothole they see.
"Regardless of their size, depth, the type of road and its position in the lane, we need to make 2023 The Year of the Pothole so we can get our roads repaired. Potholes come in all shapes and sizes, each one posing a different type of danger.
"While the worst are like deep caves, shallower splits that snake across the surface can catch the wheels of cyclists causing severe damage. On safety grounds alone, we need to do all we can to shine a light on the awful condition of UK roads."
Coun Linda Taylor, Transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said: "Extra funding announced in this years’ Budget will help but faced with considerable inflationary pressures and this existing backlog, it is clear challenges for councils still remain. Only by the Government providing councils with increased and long term funding certainty can this growing problem be addressed and our roads bought up to scratch."
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