Heatwaves cause havoc on UK roads and trigger 40,000 pothole-related breakdown calls in a month, AA boss reveals

Heatwaves cause havoc on UK roads and trigger 40,000 pothole-related breakdown calls in a month, AA boss reveals The president of the AA warns drivers of the risks of warmer weather, as the UK gears up to face its fifth heatwave - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Britain’s pothole crisis is being exacerbated by the heatwave, the head of the AA has warned, as sweltering temperatures melt the roads and pose a “major problem” to the safety of motorists. The AA revealed it received almost 40,000 breakdown calls last month, as England and Wales recorded their driest July on record, dating back to 1836. And the scorching weather shows no sign of slowing down, with the UK set to face temperatures of up to 38C this week in the fifth heatwave of the year. Edmund King, president of the AA, said warming summer conditions are fuelling the already dire pothole crisis in the UK, which costs motorists an annual £3.3bn in vehicle repairs. “When roads get to surface temperatures of 50 or 60 degrees, it really can have an adverse effect. And to get those heats, the outside temperature only needs to be about 30 degrees, and we've seen that a lot recently,” Mr King explained. The relentless heat ends up melting the bitumen and causes the roads to crumble and form potholes, a process that will happen even quicker if the roads are in a poor condition to begin with. Hitting potholes whilst driving a car can cause punctures, damage to the wheels, and even steering or suspension faults. And for cyclists and those on motorbikes, the effects can be far more severe. “If you're on two wheels, potholes can cause serious injuries. And in fact, there have been deaths where people on two wheels have hit potholes. It is such a major problem, and it's not just damage. It actually affects road safety,” said Mr King. It’s not just the heat that can cause damage. With many motorists embarking on their summer holidays, whether that be driving to the beach, campsites or airports, the increased traffic on the roads can highlight the neglected infrastructure even further. Mr King suggested that the devastating wildfires in Europe, which have ripped through France, Spain, Italy and Greece, have also played a part. “That's led to more people actually going on driving holidays in the UK,” he said. According to a recent YouGov poll, almost a fifth (19 per cent) of UK residents surveyed have swapped international travel for domestic trips this year. Whilst the ongoing heat feels like it will never relent, King explained that problems posed by extreme weather in winter worsen the pothole crisis tenfold. Potholes are primarily caused by water that seeps into cracks in the asphalt, eventually softening and weakening the foundational support. The water then freezes, causing further cracking and expansion. As well as hotter summers, climate change has also seen winters in the UK become wetter. According to the Met Office, the six months between October to March from 2016-2025 was 13 per cent wetter than the same period from 1961–1990. “Thinking back to this January and February, there were floods on many, many of the roads. It is these extremes in temperature that make the roads worse,” said MrKing, adding that local roads tend to sustain the biggest damage as they are repaired less often. Aside from reporting a pothole, Mr King urged drivers to remain as vigilant as possible. “During the winter we always say to people, particularly in bad weather when it’s raining, it's very difficult sometimes to avoid potholes because the puddles cover them and you can't see them. “At least in summer you've got better visibility on the roads. So particularly if you're driving on smaller rural roads, it's almost slow down. Expect to see some substandard roads ahead, and particularly if, if you're on a bike or indeed a motorcycle, head with extra caution.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments