Pothole Surge Leaves Stamford Drivers Counting the Cost
A Local Mechanic is Warning Roads Are Now a Danger Zone
Stamford drivers are being hit hard by a surge in pothole damage, with local garages reporting repairs at an all-time high.
New figures from the RAC show there was a 15% rise in breakdowns linked to poor roads last year, as patrols attended more than seventy cases a day nationwide.
Adrian from West Street garage says the situation is worse than he has seen in more than forty years.
He told us: “We are seeing badly bruised, deformed split tyres, and equally with either aluminium alloy or steel road wheels being badly dented rim damage cracks."
"In severe cases, it's not unheard of if the pothole is a deep, sharp pothole for it to take the steering out of the driver's hands and lose directional stability – it's the worst I’ve seen in forty-two years.”
He also warned that swerving to avoid potholes could mean disaster for other road users, adding:
“When somebody notices a pothole, they swerve towards the middle of the road or swerve towards the near side, and that could be catastrophic for a cyclist or the pedestrian or an oncoming vehicle."
"So it’s dangerous. It’s absolutely imperative."
"On my route into work, there has been potholes in the same place for over three months, and then some of the repair work is just remedial. It’s not permanent.”
The RAC estimates repairs for pothole damage can cost drivers up to five hundred and ninety pounds, and says more long-term solutions are needed to bring roads up to scratch.