Car breakdowns due to potholes soared in July as repairs slowed during one of the wettest months on record, figures show.
The AA motoring organisation said call-outs for car damage from potholes rose by almost 20% compared with last July.
Wet weather meant drivers often could not see the potholes while repair efforts by councils were affected.
The AA said common incidents included damaged shock absorbers and dented wheels.
In total, the group said it had received 50,079 call-outs in July to assist vehicles stranded from an encounter with a pothole – the highest number for that month since 2018.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said councils will now be “under more pressure” to get planned repair work completed before winter.Potholes become worse in winter, when water can seep into cracks in the road.
The constant freezing and thawing of water in icy temperatures weakens the structure of the road and material eventually dislodges with the movement of vehicles, causing holes.
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