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Potholes: 'People don't realise the threat they pose' | Potholes: 'People don't realise the threat they pose' |
(5 days later) | |
Martyn Uzzell was on the latest leg of a charity bike ride when he hit a pothole and was thrown into the path of a car. | Martyn Uzzell was on the latest leg of a charity bike ride when he hit a pothole and was thrown into the path of a car. |
He died instantly. | He died instantly. |
He was cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats with his brother-in-law and a friend - all three of them experienced cyclists. | He was cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats with his brother-in-law and a friend - all three of them experienced cyclists. |
Since his death in 2011, his widow Kate has been campaigning for better road inspections. | Since his death in 2011, his widow Kate has been campaigning for better road inspections. |
However, the RAC claims "shocking" new figures prove road conditions are worsening. | However, the RAC claims "shocking" new figures prove road conditions are worsening. |
New research has revealed more than half a million potholes were reported by members of the public to local authorities for repair last year. | New research has revealed more than half a million potholes were reported by members of the public to local authorities for repair last year. |
The data was obtained from Freedom of Information requests to the 212 councils responsible for roads in Great Britain, of which 161 authorities provided comparable figures. | The data was obtained from Freedom of Information requests to the 212 councils responsible for roads in Great Britain, of which 161 authorities provided comparable figures. |
Kate, from North Somerset, said the pothole that killed her husband had been reported to the local council twice by a police officer and by their own inspection team. | Kate, from North Somerset, said the pothole that killed her husband had been reported to the local council twice by a police officer and by their own inspection team. |
"The local authority didn't take any action," she said. | "The local authority didn't take any action," she said. |
"And the consequences of their inaction was the death of Martyn, devastation for his family and friends, and our future was stolen." | "And the consequences of their inaction was the death of Martyn, devastation for his family and friends, and our future was stolen." |
The A-road that they were cycling on was generally in good condition and was far better than others they had faced. | The A-road that they were cycling on was generally in good condition and was far better than others they had faced. |
After spotting a pothole around a drain, Martyn's brother-in-law called back to warn the others. | After spotting a pothole around a drain, Martyn's brother-in-law called back to warn the others. |
But for Martyn it was too late. | But for Martyn it was too late. |
"The first I knew was two police officers turned up at my work," Kate recalled. | "The first I knew was two police officers turned up at my work," Kate recalled. |
"They turned up and they obviously said that Martyn had been killed. | "They turned up and they obviously said that Martyn had been killed. |
"They couldn't tell me what had happened to my brother. He couldn't speak when he got home. He was so traumatised by it." | "They couldn't tell me what had happened to my brother. He couldn't speak when he got home. He was so traumatised by it." |
Kate had been planning a surprise trip to Scotland to watch the three of them cross the finish line. | Kate had been planning a surprise trip to Scotland to watch the three of them cross the finish line. |
She said that people don't realise the threat that potholes can pose and said the latest figures were "upsetting". | She said that people don't realise the threat that potholes can pose and said the latest figures were "upsetting". |
"What is dangerous to a cyclist can be perfectly safe for a motor vehicle." | "What is dangerous to a cyclist can be perfectly safe for a motor vehicle." |
The government said it was spending £6.5bn on road repairs from 2015-2021. | The government said it was spending £6.5bn on road repairs from 2015-2021. |
More than 512,000 potholes were reported to the 161 local authorities, up 44% on the 2015 figure of 356,000 potholes from 152 councils, the RAC said. | More than 512,000 potholes were reported to the 161 local authorities, up 44% on the 2015 figure of 356,000 potholes from 152 councils, the RAC said. |
Extrapolating the numbers to take account of councils unable to provide data, the RAC believes the increase in reports over two years is 33%. | Extrapolating the numbers to take account of councils unable to provide data, the RAC believes the increase in reports over two years is 33%. |
As well as being a danger to road users, potholes also caused problems to vehicles. | As well as being a danger to road users, potholes also caused problems to vehicles. |
Among the most common were damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels. | Among the most common were damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels. |
Earlier this year, drivers breaking down after hitting potholes reached a three-year high, according to the RAC. | Earlier this year, drivers breaking down after hitting potholes reached a three-year high, according to the RAC. |
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: "Perhaps motorists are more inclined to report pothole defects than they were a few years ago, but we believe the sheer size of the increase is further proof the condition of our roads is worsening." | RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: "Perhaps motorists are more inclined to report pothole defects than they were a few years ago, but we believe the sheer size of the increase is further proof the condition of our roads is worsening." |
He added the figures were "just the tip of the iceberg" as thousands of potholes go unreported every year. | He added the figures were "just the tip of the iceberg" as thousands of potholes go unreported every year. |
One in five local roads in England and Wales is in a poor condition and the frequency of road resurfacing has declined, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance. | One in five local roads in England and Wales is in a poor condition and the frequency of road resurfacing has declined, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance. |
In October's budget, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced an extra £420m of funding for councils to tackle potholes, on top of an existing fund of almost £300m. | In October's budget, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced an extra £420m of funding for councils to tackle potholes, on top of an existing fund of almost £300m. |
Martin Tett, the Local Government Association's (LGA) transport spokesman said councils were fixing a pothole every 21 seconds but needed more funding to "embark on the widespread improvement of our roads that is desperately needed". | Martin Tett, the Local Government Association's (LGA) transport spokesman said councils were fixing a pothole every 21 seconds but needed more funding to "embark on the widespread improvement of our roads that is desperately needed". |
He said the LGA was calling on the government to reinvest a portion of existing fuel duty into local road maintenance to fund a "£9.3bn road repair backlog". | He said the LGA was calling on the government to reinvest a portion of existing fuel duty into local road maintenance to fund a "£9.3bn road repair backlog". |
Kate said the danger of potholes hadn't ever occurred to her before Martyn was killed, and that she was driven to speak out after hearing a segment on potholes on the local radio. | Kate said the danger of potholes hadn't ever occurred to her before Martyn was killed, and that she was driven to speak out after hearing a segment on potholes on the local radio. |
"People were ringing up and saying my alloy wheels were damaged and it made me really angry," she said. | "People were ringing up and saying my alloy wheels were damaged and it made me really angry," she said. |
"They're far more dangerous than that." | "They're far more dangerous than that." |