As thaw comes, potholes and crumbling roads give motorists problems!
on January 14th, 2010 at 2:23 pmPotholes in their thousands are emerging as the cold spell continues, with road user groups calling yesterday for emergency funding to help councils to repair them. Hundreds of millions of pounds will be needed to mend crumbling roads once the thaw sets in. Dangerous conditions are expected this morning as rain across the South freezes as it falls on to snow, but respite is expected tomorrow when temperatures are forecast to rise as high as 8C (46F), with more rain coming in from the South West. Councils in the areas worst affected by the extreme weather are already reporting a higher than average incidence of potholes and warn that repairs will provoke budget shortfalls. “Emergency funding is required to stop the vicious circle of crumbling roads costing more in compensation, accident claims and hospital admissions,” said Edmund King, the president of the AA. This is expected to be a record year for potholes because the freezing weather has lasted several weeks. Melted snow and ice collect in cracks in the road. When temperatures fall below zero, the water expands and the cracks are widened. More
