By Jenna Todoroff, contributor MSN
February 12 2009
The worst winter Britain has seen in decades has led to a 13% increase in cars damaged by potholes.
According to Warranty Direct, axle and suspension damage from potholes increased significantly in January alone. This rise is attributed to the coldest start to winter in 30 years and temperatures plummeting as low as minus 18°C. The snowfall that battered the UK in early February is likely to increase that figure even more.
"The problem is only going to get worse in the next week or so," said Duncan McClure Fisher, managing director of Warranty Direct.
Potholes develop when rainwater freezes in cracks in roads. When temperatures drop below freezing, rainwater turns into ice and expands, increasing the size of the crack and eventually creating a pothole.
"With a £1 billion shortfall in road maintenance budgets across the country, local councils will have their world cut out repairing pothole damaged roads," said Fisher. "It's a surefire bet that the number of claims we see will rise."
The average repair for pothole damage is £240.
