Potholes cost North East drivers £25million a year in car repairs

Research by Kwik Fit, the UK’s largest automotive servicing and repair company, has found that in the last year, British motorists have had to fund repair bills totalling £684million as a result of damage caused by hitting potholes.

In the North East, that figure is almost £25million, with an average cost of £72.66 per repair.

But the council insists that improving roads in town remains a “high priority”.

A spokesman for Hartlepool Borough Council said: “The maintenance and improvement to the town’s roads is a high priority for the council, and despite the significant cuts in Central Government funding, we spend around £300,000 annually.

“We carry out regular inspections of the town’s main roads to identify any areas which require improvement and we also encourage residents to report any pot holes so that they can be immediately repaired.”

In the North East, the number of drivers who have suffered pothole damage over the last year is 343,000, according to the figures.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “One pothole can cause misery for countless motorists, so it’s vital that local authorities make it as easy as possible for people to report the presence of a pothole.

“But we would also encourage drivers to do their bit by reporting the ones they see and not relying on others to do it. We encourage anyone who has hit a pothole to keep checking their tyres and wheels in the days afterwards.”