Pothole Plague: 30% Of British Roads Need Urgent Repairs

Road To Nowhere: 30% Of British Roads Need Repairing
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Three in ten British roads are in need of urgent pothole repairs, according to the GMB union.

A survey by the union found that Britain's roads were in a "shocking state", which sees one third of Yorkshire roads suffering from pothole damage to roads, as well 55% of roads on the Isle of Wight.

Brian Strutton, GMB National Secretary for Public Services, said: “It is clear from the official data that our roads are in a shocking state with almost a third needing attention.

"Many roads are so broken up and strewn with potholes that motorists are suffering damage to wheels and suspension, with compensation claims up by 40% in some parts of the country."

After the Isle of Wight, the worst roads are in North Lincolnshire, where 47% suffer from potholes, while the City of London, Nottingham and Camden sit at 42%.

GMB said compensation claims are up by 40% in some areas and many roads are broken up and strewn with potholes.

Dean Paffett, from breakdown service Green Flag, said the firm was seeing a "noticeable rise" in calls out to people with damage to their cars as a result of potholes, particularly on minor roads.

Mike Penning, the minister for road safety, predictably blamed the state of the roads on the previous Labour government.

"We inherited a really difficult economic situation," he said.

"Roads don't deteriorate overnight, they've been deteriorating like that under the previous administration."