Increase in pothole related breakdowns due to worsening road conditions

Breakdowns attributed to potholes in the last quarter of 2017 rose by 11% compared to 2016 say the RAC, who say that the continued rise is concerning.

The most common of these breakdowns were due to damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and/or distorted wheels, likely due to poor quality road surfaces.

The surface quality of some our roads has already suffered by high rainfall and colder temperatures in recent months, compared with last year.  There is the potential for a further rise in the number of potholes by the spring if the weather is particularly wet or cold over the next few months.

The RAC believes the condition of many roads is “hanging in the balance”. 

Back in 2010 I wrote an article about potholes on this very blog (here's a link: Potholes - The New Speed Bumps).  Having read through it just now it seems to me that, despite the publicised additional government funding (whatever that means), nothing's really changed.

Potholes are a serious road safety risk and anyone who has driven into one will know it is not only a scary experience, but also a costly one.  For those on two wheels it can also be life-threatening.

Want less junk mail?

Don't ignore your Household Enquiry Form – failing to respond could see you receive a massive fine of up to £1,000!

The Household Enquiry Form is sent out to each household across the country between July and November each year. The letter is sent out by your local council, so the exact date for sending them out can vary significantly.  

The form lists the current eligible voters in your household and asks you to check and update the details.  Ah, you know the one I'm talking about now!

Well, the form should also tell you if you’re registered on the optional public ‘open register’ which is used by companies for marketing purposes.

If you opt out of it, you'll end up with less junk mail because companies that use it to sell on your details will no longer be able to do so.

 

Find out more here:  Household-Enquiry-Form

Throwing away the rule book (and business plan) to deliver a female friendly garage experience

Here's an extract from my recent interview with UK digital magazine

What are the greatest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in the industry?

The biggest challenge by far has to have been my survival though the recession, having only just bought the business a few months prior to the financial crash. I’d just taken on the unit next door as part of my expansion plans and had taken on an additional mechanic. I remember sitting at my desk listening to the news on the radio covering the financial crisis, and thinking; “This is going to be a long one!”, then throwing my business plan over my shoulder (literally!), and writing a new one on business survival.
I don’t think being a woman made the last seven-year struggle more challenging though. If anything, it probably gave me an advantage over my competitors, due to the local media interest in a lady garage owner. Having worked most of my career in male environments has also helped me to hold my own of course.


You can read the full interview on the magazine's website by clicking here.