Vehicle breakdowns caused by potholes increased by nearly a fifth in 12 months

From a daily annoyance to a threat to life, potholes are one of the most common concerns facing drivers in Scotland.

The RAC has recorded a 19% increase in callouts related to poor road surfaces compared to last year with local garages say the cost to customers is piling up.

Potholes are often formed when water freezes and expands after entering cracks in road surfaces.

Common vehicle problems caused by potholes include damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels.

Scott McLaughlan, who works at Byres Road Garage, said he has seen the issue “getting worse” over the last couple of years.

Scott McLaughlan works at Byres Road Garage. STV News

He said: “Over the last year and a half, maybe two, it has been getting worse. A lot of people coming in and have hit a pothole, saying I have a noise, can you check it?

“Everything’s got more expensive and then when you have customers who hit a pothole, I think they just absolutely fear the worst and wonder, how much is this going to cost me?

“You get ones in tears, they’re the worst. Because it’s not your fault. It’s not as if you can avoid it.”

The Scottish Government told STV News that it’s for local councils to maintain the roads in their area.

However, this week ministers scrapped plans to reduce cars journeys by 20% over the next decade.

It means potholes are a problem that show no sign disappearing any time soon.

Anne Marie McLaughlin spent £2,700 on her cab following pothole damage. STV News

Anne Marie McLaughlin, a taxi driver in Glasgow, said the potholes make it “unsustainable” for the business to operate.

She said: “Particularly since Covid, I think the standard of the roads has been pretty deplorable.

“What, three years ago, two or three years ago, I would just say that it was the worst it’s ever been.

“And to be fair, most of that has been repaired.

“But now you see those repairs all falling apart again. Suspension costs for me two years ago were £2,700 for an 18 month period. And that’s that’s not sustainable for any sort of business.

“Never mind your general members of the public, it’s an unexpected bill.”

Glasgow City Council say a further £20m will be invested in road maintenance over the year ahead. But the nationwide pothole problem will remain a bump in the road for many.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government has provided councils with a record £15bn this year. Ministers expect local authorities to allocate that funding to meet local needs including road repair and upkeep.”

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Potholes can appear suddenly at any time and are caused by environmental factors such as the volume and weight of traffic, ice and rain.

“Winter can be a damaging time for road surfaces but in the winter just past we have seen fewer reports than anticipated.

“Our responsibility is to ensure we have in place an appropriate system of road safety inspections and repairs that tackles the most dangerous faults as a matter of priority.

“We always seek to undertake first time permanent repairs wherever possible and in the previous financial year over £9m was spent on carriageway maintenance, mainly through resurfacing projects.

“Following the budget agreed in February this year, a further £20m will be invested in Glasgow’s roads, pavements, carriageways and cycle ways in the year ahead.

“The roads network is inspected on an on-going basis but we always urge people to report any road faults to us directly so they can be properly assessed and included in an appropriate repair programme.

“All claims are determined on the merits of the individual case and within the context of our roads inspection and repairs policy.

“The presence of a pothole on the roads network does not necessarily create a liability on behalf of the council.”