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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Poor roads 'increasing punctures' | Poor roads 'increasing punctures' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Poor road surfaces are leading to an increase in vehicle punctures, the RAC breakdown service has said. | Poor road surfaces are leading to an increase in vehicle punctures, the RAC breakdown service has said. |
| The RAC said it had responded to 230,196 puncture call-outs last year, compared with 204,467 in 2006. | The RAC said it had responded to 230,196 puncture call-outs last year, compared with 204,467 in 2006. |
| It is calling for increased government spending after more than three out of every four of its patrol personnel said Britain's roads had deteriorated. | It is calling for increased government spending after more than three out of every four of its patrol personnel said Britain's roads had deteriorated. |
| But the Department for Transport said it had more than trebled funding to councils for road investment. | But the Department for Transport said it had more than trebled funding to councils for road investment. |
| The RAC said punctures were the biggest single cause of breakdowns, but poor roads were also leading to an increase in vehicle suspension damage and chipped windscreens. | The RAC said punctures were the biggest single cause of breakdowns, but poor roads were also leading to an increase in vehicle suspension damage and chipped windscreens. |
| And 59% of RAC patrol personnel said poor quality roads were also having a detrimental effect on motorists' driving experiences. | And 59% of RAC patrol personnel said poor quality roads were also having a detrimental effect on motorists' driving experiences. |
| Meanwhile 80% said roadworks in their area had increased, suggesting road improvement programmes are failing to deliver. WHAT RAC STAFF SAY Roads have deteriorated - 77%Poor roads effect motorists' driving experiences - 59% Roadworks have increased - 80% | |
| RAC patrolman of the year, Iain Vale, said: "Motorists are really getting a raw deal. | RAC patrolman of the year, Iain Vale, said: "Motorists are really getting a raw deal. |
| "Not only are drivers feeling the financial pinch, despite recent fuel price cuts, they also have to contend with poor quality roads, which can cause costly repairs to their vehicle." | "Not only are drivers feeling the financial pinch, despite recent fuel price cuts, they also have to contend with poor quality roads, which can cause costly repairs to their vehicle." |
| "We're calling for the government to increase the level of investment to improve the standard of roads to reflect the revenue collected in motoring taxation - providing British motorists with the service they both deserve and continue to pay for." | "We're calling for the government to increase the level of investment to improve the standard of roads to reflect the revenue collected in motoring taxation - providing British motorists with the service they both deserve and continue to pay for." |
| But a Department for Transport spokesman said the government had announced new funding earlier this year to help local authorities better assess the condition of their roads. | But a Department for Transport spokesman said the government had announced new funding earlier this year to help local authorities better assess the condition of their roads. |
| "We are very clear that councils should implement a system of regular, well-managed maintenance - and not leave things until they deteriorate to the point that repairs become urgent and more costly," he added. | "We are very clear that councils should implement a system of regular, well-managed maintenance - and not leave things until they deteriorate to the point that repairs become urgent and more costly," he added. |