2013 shaping up as vintage year for potholes

A combination of wet weather in 2012 and this week's freeze is paving the way for a season of atrocious potholes.

A record-breaking year for rainfall in 2012 left roads and the ground beneath them saturated with water. As the ground dries out, the tarmac has a tendency to crack and the current spell of freezing temperatures will do little to help. When water enters a crack in the road surface and freezes it expands and forces apart the road surface.

Potholes are an inconvenience to motorists because over time they can result in damage to a vehicle’s wheels, tyres and suspension, but to cyclists and motorcyclists they represent a potentially dangerous risk. Because of this, repairs are often carried out in haste and the pothole re-appears.

Such is the severity of the freezing weather this week that there may be new candidates for the dubious title of ‘Britain’s biggest pothole’.

Andrew Harmsworth two years ago reported a mega-pothole three-metres long, one metre wide and up to 15cm deep, which lay on Longstanton Road, between Oakington and Longstanton. If you have a photo of what you think could be the worst pothole of the year, please send it to us.

Cyclists can insure themselves against damage caused by potholes. Cycle insurance from the ETA includes cover against accidental damage (including at race events), personal accident, a breakdown service for cyclists and much more. Find out more the insurance also includes free advice from an expert legal team should you need it.

How best to tackle potholes

Over recent decades, the government at town, county and government level has failed to invest in well-engineered road surfaces. Sadly, the recession means there might be no proper investment for another ten years, but there are things you can do now.

The first thing to do when you encounter a pothole is to use one of the many reporting websites in order to alert the local authority, who are bound in law to deal with the most serious road defects within 24 hours. Three examples are fixmystreet (www.fixmystreet.com), fillthathole (www.fillthathole.org.uk/) or potholes.co.uk (www.potholes.co.uk).

In theory it is possible to claim compensation for damage or injury sustained as a result of a pothole or road defect, but in practice this can be a convoluted process and a payout is not guaranteed. A good cycle insurance policy will pay for accidental damage of this type.