The AA has warned that this summer’s heatwaves have exposed the ‘fragility’ of Britain’s roads. The roadside assistance provider stated that increased temperatures are making potholes worse by weakening the road surfaces.
Figures showed that there was a jump in pothole-related callouts attended by the AA this July when compared to the same time last year. According to the organisation’s Pothole Index, it went to 50,091 incidents caused by potholes, compared to just 49,081 last year – an increase of just over 2%.
It says that while incidents exacerbated by potholes had decreased earlier in the year, it believes that the recent warmer weather might have contributed to this rise in callouts. Higher temperatures can affect road surfaces and worsen the impact of tyre damage to roads.
The AA also stated that hotter temperatures can make worn or damaged tyres more likely to fail. As well as this, drivers may take more trips on unfamiliar or rural roads at this time of year, which can be in worse condition than main routes. Both of these factors can contribute to an increase in pothole-related problems.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “This summer’s heatwave has starkly exposed the fragility of Britain’s roads. The recent setback illustrates that much more must be done to create a safe and reliable road network for everyone. We urge the government and local authorities to redouble their efforts in tackling the pothole crisis, prioritising rural routes and frequently used cycling and motorcycling corridors.”
The Pothole Partnership, which consists of the AA, along with JCB, British Cycling, the National Motorcyclists Council and other supporting organisations, also commented. It stated that ‘the combined impact of extreme weather and neglected infrastructure places all road users at heightened risk’.
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