Surrey named UK’s top pothole county

Surrey has been named as the pothole capital of the UK in new research released today. The county has topped the league table of regions most blighted by damaged road surfaces, with some 1,998 potholes afflicting Surrey’s 450,000 motorists.

The UK Pothole Survey conducted by Kia,  identifies Hampshire as the second worse-off county, where drivers have logged 892 potholes, followed by Kent with 857, painting a hazardous picture of the country’s road network.

According to the carmaker’s dealers, cases of vehicles with pothole damage have soared in recent months, with dealers in the worst affected areas reporting a 150 per cent  increase in pothole related repairs. Suspension failure, damaged alloys and split tyres are the most widespread incidents, with the average repair bill totalling £750.

Motorist Bianca Lee-Chang, 29, from Tadworth, Surrey said: “You’re hard pushed to move a few hundred metres without falling foul of a pothole in Surrey and there doesn’t seem to be enough being done about it.  Last week I had a nasty encounter with a particularly large pot hole and spent two hours waiting for recovery, followed by a £200 bill for the pleasure!  Given the amount we pay for Council Tax I would expect more to be done about this.”

Adrian Leighton, 39, a father of two from Ripley, Surrey agreed: “Since the cold weather the road surfaces in Surrey have been far worse than usual and there are so many potholes that it is impossible to miss them while driving safely.  Quite apart from the danger they pose, the damage they can cause to your car is unacceptable.”

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The widespread growth of potholes has been attributed to the coldest UK winter in 30 years. However, aged tarmac is also a major contributor to poor road surfaces. According to statistics, £8.5 billion is required to bring the country’s roads up to scratch, with local authorities claiming a lack of funding has created a 13 year backlog in road maintenance programmes.

Sue Mulcaster, a Kia Motors UK spokesperson said: “The true impact of potholes on motorists has been echoed up and down the country by our 150 dealers. Potholes are often unavoidable, but there are ways to avoid considerable repair costs. Slowing down as much as possible and taking your foot off the brake before impact can help reduce damage, while holding the steering wheel firmly will help maintain control.”

Britain’s potholes mapped:

1. Surrey (with 1,998 potholes)
2. Hampshire (892 potholes)
3. Kent (857 potholes)
4. Hertfordshire (855 potholes)
5. Oxfordshire (796 potholes)
6. Lancashire (733 potholes)
7. Essex (734 potholes)
8. West Sussex (680 potholes)
9. Buckinghamshire (678 potholes)
10. Gloucestershire (655 potholes)

Author: Faye Sunderland, March 10th, 2010
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