Extra �1m pledged to fix potholes

AN extra �1million is to be pumped into Suffolk's transport budget to fix the county's pothole-riddled road network, it emerged today.

The county council is to make the cash available after one of the harshest winters in two decades caused tarmac to shred and left gaping craters.

County council roads and transport chief Guy McGregor said the temporary work to patch up potholes had been a success but admitted a wet April and May could see the problem reoccur.

Mr McGregor said additional cash was being provided to bind the roads ready for the rigours of the coming year.

The final figure the council is making available will be announced later this week, but Mr McGregor said it will total around �1m, some of which can be reimbursed from government coffers.

He said: “The people of Suffolk can be assured that the roads will be in safe condition and plans are in place to ensure the damage will not have a long-term affect.”

The news comes after it was revealed that motorists nationally fork out more than �1 million every day on repairs to cars damaged by driving over potholes. The average repair bill to pay for broken axles, suspension and shock absorbers is �240, while the total cost to UK drivers adds up to �413m.

The winter chill saw number of motorists reporting potholes in Suffolk rocket fivefold.

The potholes form where water penetrates the road, freezes and expands, breaking the surface apart.

Gangs of road workers were dispatched to temporarily repair damaged carriageways, but a number of motorists fell foul of the problem, with garages at the time reporting large increases in pothole-related damage.

The problem has not been confined to Suffolk - motoring group The AA estimated there was a 40 per cent increase in road damage from the severe weather.

Have you been affected by the increase in potholes? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk