Local authorities received 700,000 complaints last year about ptoholes and other road defects, new figures have revealed.
The research, conducted by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), also found councils paid out more than £1.9m in compensation for vehicle damage, with the the average pay out per claim equating to £257.
As well as extra funding, the FSB is calling more coordination between utilities companies and local authorities when roads need to be dug up, and for a simple system for reporting potholes and submitting claims for damage to vehicles.
Mike Cherry, FSB national chairman, said: ‘Poorly looked-after roads peppered with holes and cracks not only hamper their ability to do business, but lead to damaged vehicles, which are often vital assets to small firms working without large capital reserves.
’These figures show just how widespread the issue is and it’s clear that the Government and local authorities need to sit up and take notice. Measures like more funding for local authorities and improving the coordination between authorities and utility companies, will go some way in helping ease the burden of this ever-growing issue.’
