THE SOUTH of England has more potholes than any other region of Britain and Surrey has been named as the pothole capital of the UK, in novel new research.
In a survey designed to map Britain’s most potholed areas, Surrey topped the league table of regions most blighted by damaged road surfaces, with 1,998 potholes afflicting the county’s 450,000 motorists.
The Kia Motors UK Pothole Survey names 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.
Amongst other regions, Lancashire – sixth worst area to figure in the name and shame survey - is the only county outside the south to figure in the top ten, with Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Essex, West Sussex, Buckinghamshire and Gloucestershire making up the rest.
According to Kia 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.
The pothole epidemic 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.
Kia’s Sue Mulcaster says: “The true impact of potholes on motorists has been echoed up and down the country by our 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.”
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