Mechanised pothole patchers are go

It looks like little more than a bog-standard street cleaning machine, but the Python 5000
could be the saviour of the disgruntled cyclists and car drivers for whom potholes are a daily curse.

It is not clear whether the machine patches potholes better than traditional methods, but it is likely to be quicker; one person can operate the self-propelled pothole patching machine without ever leaving the comfort of the operator’s cab.

The pothole patcher has a robotic arm that can extend 4 feet from under the cab, with 6 feet of side-to-side motion.

Cycle insurance can cover pothole damage

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.

Cycle insurance from the ETA includes new-for-old cover for theft and accidental damage (race events included), third party insurance, personal accident cover and if you breakdown, they will even come out and recover you and your bike. Check the full list of benefits here or get an instant quote below.

Britain’s biggest pothole

When we asked cyclists to nominate the country’s most severely damaged road, little did we expect such a strong candidate for the title of worst pothole in Britain.

Andrew Harmsworth reported a pothole 3-metres long, a metre wide on average and up to 6 inches deep, which he encounters each day as he cycles along Longstanton Road, between Oakington and Longstanton on his way to Cambridge.

The ‘mega pothole’ has been caused by cars that are not entitled to use the road as it is closed to most traffic and is designated National Cycle Route 51.

Andrew, a teacher with responsibility for sustainability, said: “Ignoring the illegal road users who have caused most of the horrendous damage to this cycle route in the first place, the mind boggles at the extent of inertia in the local councils with regard to the promotion of sustainable transport. I first reported this pothole, when it was merely a baby, with all its siblings, back in September 2009. Since then the council has filled a grand total of zero holes on this road. It is only a matter of time before a cyclist is seriously hurt on this road as a direct result of the council’s inaction.”

Road to ruin

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “The disgraceful state of this road highlights not only the low-priority given to road repairs but suggests contempt for the cyclists who use it.”

“Over recent decades, the government at town, county and government level has failed to invest in well-engineered road surfaces. Sadly, following the credit crunch it looks as if there might be no proper investment for another ten years.”