Bumpy commute? Cold snap leads to potholes

Has your commute been disrupted by an increase in potholes and damaged roads recently? You could have the cold snap to thank.

Changing weather patterns impact much more than just our daily wardrobe. Cold, wintery weather as seen last week has a direct correlation to potholes.

It’s all to do with how water behaves as it shifts phases. As a liquid, rain or melting snow seeps into the road surface. As temperatures fall and this freezes it expands, filling cracks and causing roads to break apart.

Once the ice melts away it leaves wider cracks in the road, impacting its structural integrity and causing pot holes to appear as vehicles pass over.

In the final three months of 2022 the RAC say they responded to an average of 20 calls a day due to vehicle damage relating to potholes.

This includes broken suspension springs and shock absorbers. The breakdown service typically sees 16 calls a day at other times of the year.

It is not just the cold weather that impacts our travel. During last year’s summer heatwave, we saw roads literally melting under the intense heat.

This sent gritters into action spreading sand to absorb excess tar.

So if the roads around you are looking worse for wear right now, it may not entirely be the council’s fault, the blame also lies with recent weather conditions.