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English and Welsh roads have around 3.5
million holes on them increasing damage to vehicles and
increasing the risk on road accidents - 2nd April 2008
A survey has revealed that there are now
more than 3.5 million holes on the roads of England and Wales, a
new high.
These holes can be the cause of
road accidents and
vehicle damage.
An average of £53 million a year in
compensation payments is being made as a result of vehicle
damage and road
accident claims which are a result of these badly maintained
roads.
Holes in roads are a particular concern for
bike riders, as often due to vehicles around them they are
forced over holes, which can lead to a loss of control and may
result in
bike accidents.
The study being conducted by the Asphalt
Industry Alliance (AIA) also found that some roads are looking
at a 65-year wait before they will be resurfaced.
Edmund King of the
AA claims that there has
been an increase of 25% in the number of roads being dug up last
year by utility companies, adding: "This has led to congestion
chaos, increased risk of accident, poorer road surfaces and more
vehicle emissions.
"We need fewer, shorter and better
coordinated street works to get us out of this obstacle course."
The Transport Department
says that the government has more than trebled funding for road
investment to local authorities since 2002. Jim Crick of the AIA
said: "Roads are a vital asset and our most valuable one.
"We all depend on them every day and it's
time the under funding of their maintenance was addressed."
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