Boom for tyre-fitters as potholes take their toll

The extreme conditions have taken their toll on some of the town's roads, and one of the worst stretches can be found along Peartree Lane, according to residents.

Russell Dufton, of Bexhill, paid 282 after bursting front and back tires on the lane.

He said he heard "a hell of a bang" while driving, and managed to reach the garage, where he found another victim of the uneven surface.

He said: "Next to me in the garage was a Jaguar having a tyre fitted for 350 for a similar accident.

"They resurfaced that end of Peartree Lane about six months back, but they can't be doing it properly.

"It seems that whole road is sinking."

East Sussex County Council's (ESCC) Highways department have now repaired the pothole which derailed Mr Dufton (pictured), but he says there are more appearing nearby.

One resident of Cooden Drive, who did not wish to be named, paid 200 for a new tyre and checks to his suspension and tracking systems after an accident on the same stretch.

He said: "The morning after, my wife saw another lady with the AA who had done a similar thing. Another friend of mine had his front and back tyres burst by it.

"It's bad enough in a car but in a motorbike it would definitely put you over. There's quite a long stretch of 15 or 20 feet which is particularly bad."

A spokesman for the Bexhill branch of Kwik-Fit said the team had noticed pot-hole damage rising as the cold snap descended, and Rother District Council have issued claims forms for those who have paid out.

A member of East Sussex County Council's Highways team added: "Following the severe cold weather n 2009, we invested approximately 250,000 in additional maintenance gangs to deal with a similar pothole problem.

"This year, we will be investing at least the same amount for pothole work in the next two to three months."

Have you had any trouble with potholes? Do you know of another area in Bexhill with the same problem? Leave your comments below.