9 hours Ago By Martina Bet
CAR breakdowns caused by Britain’s “pothole plague” surged nearly 20 per cent in just a year. More than 9,400 motorists called the RAC between January and March after their vehicles were battered by crater-riddled roads. AlamyCar breakdowns caused by Britain’s ‘pothole plague’ surged nearly 20 per cent in just a year[/caption]PAPM Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to ‘drive down the cost of motoring’ in a £1.
6billion pothole blitz[/caption]It is up from 7,900 over the same period last year. Common damage includes wrecked wheels, broken suspensions and blown tyres, with the average repair setting drivers back £460. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Our pothole-related breakdown data is a very clear reflection of the true state of the UK’s roads, and it sadly shows the pothole plague is as prevalent as ever.
” He urged councils to ditch quick fixes and carry out proper repairs and preventative work to stop roads falling apart. The Government last month announced a £1.6billion pothole fund – including a £500million boost.
It also warned that councils must now prove they’re filling holes fast enough or risk losing up to £125million in funding.A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “The public deserves to know how their councils are improving their local roads, which is why they will have to show progress or risk losing a quarter of our record funding boost.” Nearly two in five drivers have had a run-in with a pothole, a survey found.
And 61 per cent believe the roads they use every day are in a shocking state. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club..
