Have you noticed there’s a new pothole locally? That’s because we’re currently in “pothole season”.

There is nothing more irritating than trying to avoid potholes while driving down the road. The only thing that could be worse would be driving in a heavy downpour while swerving to avoid them.

Fortunately, the weather this year is freakishly mild, but the up and down of the thermometer during day and night makes it the perfect environment for potholes to grow.

When temperatures drop below zero, water freezes in small cracks and holes in the road. As it freezes, it expands and breaks the surface, then melts in the daytime and repeats the process the following night in a cycle that allows craters to get bigger and bigger.

Aside from the harsh and fluctuating winter weather conditions causing havoc on the roads, drivers, too, play a part by driving our cars every day, even while lamenting the state of the roads.

The drivers’ experience reflects the latest ALARM report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance, highlighting that a one-off spend of more than £11 billion is needed to bring the network back up to scratch. That’s a little less than the Government has proposed for its five-year pothole fund of £2.5bn.

Despite all this politics, we drivers end up picking up the bill for our cars as driving into potholes affects tyres, suspension, and steering.

If you have any concerns over potential damage to your car from hitting a pothole, feel free to come and visit us at Mr T Autos for a closer inspection.

Sadly, the only way to avoid damaging your car is to be on the lookout. If you do spot a pothole on your route and around your home, you can report it here www.gov.uk/report-pothole

In the meantime, take care on the roads during pothole season.

Did you know…?

Potholes have been around since the dawn of time, and the name has been in use for centuries. The name stems from the roads created during the Roman Empire’s reign. Pottery producers in the 1400s and 1500s in England took advantage of the ruts carved into roadways by wagon and coach wheels. They would dig further into these deep ruts to uncover clay deposits beneath in their search for a cost-effective source of raw materials for crafting clay pots.’

Did you also know…?

There is a National Pothole Day – on January 15. It was established to bring attention to the ever-increasing pothole menace on our roads.

Guess how it was celebrated this year…