Potholes continue to cause problems for Shropshire motorists

A Telford garage says it has been flooded with an avalanche of cars with broken suspension systems.

Mechanics at Court Autos on Tweedale North, Madeley, believe thousands of pot holes in Shropshire’s roads, created during recent arctic weather, may be to blame.

The components affected are suspension coils, large steel springs that are vital to suspension systems of cars and many larger vehicles.

Court Autos owner Dave Alford said: “In two days, we had to replace broken suspension coils on 16 vehicles. That’s a record for us. It’s unheard of.

“One of the main reasons appears to be damage caused by cars going over pot holes. Drivers have increased their speed because the snow and ice has disappeared.

“The problem is, the freezing weather has created a lot more potholes. So one hazard has been replaced with another one, holes in the road.”

Potholes are created by water in cracks turning to ice and expanding, forcing loose big chunks of asphalt.

Court Autos has also seen a big increase in cars with damage to their alloy wheels, often leading to tyres slowly deflating.

Dave Alford explained: “We think drivers may have ridden up on curbs or been in involved in other small bumps in icy conditions. This has dented a wheel, allowing air to gradually escape.”

He urged drivers who find that their tyres are losing air to have their wheels checked because, if they are damaged, they could be unsafe.

He added: “Also, until the potholes are filled in, it might be sensible, on some roads at least, to drive as carefully as if they were still covered with snow and ice. Otherwise, motorists risk costly damage to their suspension.”

You can report a pothole online:
Report a pothole in the Telford & Wrekin area
Report a pothole in the Shropshire Council area