Unfortunately, We Fix Keys and Key Holes Not Potholes!
Many drivers consider them to be the scourge of the road, affecting your car's suspension and causing seemingly endless traffic disruption, amongst other problems. They can be a constant threat to motorists and cyclists alike and seem to be more and more common on Britain’s roads, especially in wintertime. But how much do you know about the growing problem of potholes?
They are, not to put too fine a point on it, collapsed sections of tarmac on the road. Brought on by a combination of the pressure of ongoing traffic and adverse weather conditions, amongst other aspects. Potholes have long been a source of frustration for motorists, but they can also have dangerous, far-reaching circumstances.
According to the AA, there has been a rise in the number of insurance claims involving potholes, while Philip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer, reportedly recently announced councils in England will receive an additional £420 million to help repair potholes, damaged roads and keep bridges open. However, the organisation which supplies the majority of the materials used in the filling in of potholes, the Asphalt Industry Alliance, or the AIA, has stated the area of £8 billion is required to fix, on a one-off basis, all of the potholes in England. This just gives you an idea of the scale of the problem affecting all of the UK.
Many people are unsure of what constitutes a pothole. When considering trunk roads and motorways, experts believe you should make any defect in the road safe, although, as a minimum, potholes which measure in excess of 150mm or 5.9 inches in diameter, or more than 40mm or 1.6 inches in depth, should be repaired inside a day.
However, you should be aware that the early winter months January and February, are considered the most prominent time for potholes due to the cold weather, which can play a contributing factor in their creation. This is why so many drivers have to particularly keep an eye out for potholes on the roads at the beginning of the year.