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All The Details HerePotholes: Destroying Cars and Businesses
I can’t believe what I’m seeing on Britain’s roads these days – they’re not just bad, they’re apocalyptically terrible!
As someone who’s dodged more potholes than a video game character, I’m not surprised by the UK Automobile Association’s recent survey that’s got everyone talking after National Pothole Day.
A recent survey rated some UK roads as “terrible” sparking fears that road infrastructure and potholes would worsen in the coming years.
The rating follows a recent UK Automobile Association (AA) polling survey released in the wake of National Pothole Day (15 January).
The survey revealed the dire state of some roads in Britain, which has long been recognised for its exceptional road network. The polling found that more than 50% of respondents in Scotland, the North-west and South-East found local roads to be Terrible.
In a statement, the AA said that since November – particularly on rainy days – they had seen an average increase of 225 daily breakdowns. This was primarily due to drivers striking waterlogged potholes, resulting in punctures, wheel damage and even suspension faults.
I’ve seen puddles that turn out to be miniature lakes hiding these wheel-eating beasts. The AA’s been swamped with calls from desperate drivers who’ve fallen victim to these sneaky road traps. It’s gotten so bad that our legendary British road network, which used to be the envy of Europe, is starting to look like the surface of the moon after a meteor shower.
As a leading UK courier company, I can state that these potholes are a bottomless money pit that caused logistical nightmares for delivery companies
A damaged van results in a delivery van being removed from operations. This, in turn, means fewer or delayed deliveries, which impacts the operational side of the business.
In addition to the obvious financial implications caused by the damage, alternative arrangements must be made when a van is out of circulation. This leads to our fleet and depot teams being pulled away from their core role in an attempt to try to rearrange deliveries.
One also needs to remember that there is a parts scarcity with some vehicles, which adds to delivery van repair delays.”
West added the knock-on effect meant traffic-related incidents such as traffic jams. If a pothole leads to an accident, it means traffic delays which impact our parcel delivery and overall customer satisfaction and performance. The fact is, potholes greatly impact us, our clients and our delivery drivers.”
Pegasus Couriers contracts and owns about 600 vans while delivering parcels across Scotland, Ireland and the North of England. Some clients include global corporates such as UPS and Yodel.
To lessen the financial implications, West said consultations with insurance and recovery providers were ongoing. “It is familiar enough for us to have endless meetings with our insurers to discuss the procedure changes related to issues like potholes. I have noticed an increase in mostly sump-related damage primarily caused by pothole incidents. We constantly talk to our delivery drivers and contractors about potholes and the potential damage they could cause.
AA roads policy head Jack Cousens called on the government to act to save rising costs met by the road freight and transport sector. “Years of underinvestment in the nation’s roads means we are seeing more potholes develop than ever before. It’s not just road surfaces that need upgrading. Worn road markings, damaged signs, streetlights no longer working, and overgrown hedgerow covering signs are all too common on UK roads.
“Sadly, this all points towards a lack of funding or ring-fencing by both central and local government. Safe and maintained streets are vital for everyone regardless of how they use the roads, and we desperately need to see a massive cash injection to upgrade local roads. Until that happens, UK roads will continue to crumble and crack into catastrophe.”
The pothole saga comes in the wake of a nationwide van shortage that is hampering the industry’s growth and pushing up delivery van rental costs.
Some commercial rental companies had increased lease prices by 30% to 40% per year last year.
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At Pegasus Couriers, career advancement is not just a concept but a reality.
Many of our managers and office staff were once drivers themselves, attesting to the opportunities for growth within our organisation.
The company was founded in 1988 by Martin Smith, an Edinburgh native, and since led to Phil West, a Scottish military veteran from Glasgow, being promoted to Director.
Phil had been a part of the business for eight years before taking over the helm in 2023. With his experience and dedication, Phil has successfully guided Pegasus Couriers to become a prominent player in the courier industry.
Before joining the business, Phil served his country as a medic in the UK Armed Forces, gaining valuable experience around the world. He joined Pegasus Couriers as a driver and quickly climbed the ranks to become a manager, overseeing a team of delivery drivers. Under his leadership, the company expanded to five depots across the UK and continues to grow.
Pegasus Couriers has experienced remarkable growth in recent years thanks to our commitment to providing top-notch delivery service. We now have six strategically located depots and a team of about 500 reliable courier drivers. Our client list includes major eCommerce companies like Amazon and Yodel, which is a testament to the exceptional service we offer.
