The Rise of Potholes: What You Need to Know
With the fluctuating weather, potholes have become an increasingly common problem on UK roads. Sudden drops in temperature cause moisture to seep into cracks in the road, which then expands as it freezes, breaking apart the surface. Combine this with budget constraints often resorting to temporary fixes, and the issue is only getting worse.
How to Report Potholes
If you encounter a pothole, reporting it is quick and easy:
- For local roads: Use fixmystreet.com to report potholes, you can also report graffiti, fly tipping, broken paving slabs and street lighting.
- For major roads and motorways: Report potholes and maintenance issues directly to National Highways England via their website: report.nationalhighways.co.uk
Taking the time to report a pothole helps ensure authorities are aware and can take action to prevent further damage or accidents.
The Damage Potholes Can Cause
Hitting a pothole can cause a variety of issues for your vehicle, including:
- Tyre damage: Cuts, bulges, or even punctures.
- Wheel problems: Cracked alloys, buckled wheels, and misaligned wheel tracking.
- Suspension issues: Broken coil springs or other suspension component damage.
- Bodywork damage: Cracked or scraped bumpers from deep potholes.
These repairs can be costly, but if the pothole is on a public road, you may have the right to claim compensation from the responsible authority.
How to Make a Claim
If your vehicle is damaged by a pothole, follow these steps to increase your chances to make a claim:
- Identify the responsible authority: Determine whether the road is maintained by the local council or Highways England.
- Document the damage: Take clear photos of the pothole, your vehicle’s damage, and the location of the incident. Use landmarks such as bus stops, signposts, or specific road names to pinpoint the pothole. Provide a description of the incident.
- Gather repair evidence: Obtain a repair quote or invoice to support your claim.
- Check if the pothole was previously reported: Verify if the pothole was previously reported.
Submit your claim: Send the photos, details of the damage, and repair evidence (quotes, invoices) to the relevant authority, along with a brief description of the incident.
Stay Safe and Proactive
Potholes are an inevitable challenge on UK roads, but by reporting them and understanding how to handle the damage they cause, can minimise the impact on your vehicle and help improve road conditions including for other road users.
If your car has suffered from pothole damage, visit Bartlett Automotive for expert advice, peace of mind, tyre checks, wheel alignment, and suspension repairs to get back on the road safely.
