Motorists and cyclists frustrated by potholes can take hope from an automated concrete paving machine that can lay down stretches of road that are hard wearing and quick and easy to repair.
Concrete paved roads do not suffer from potholes in the same way as asphalt covered streets and broken bricks can be replaced individually if need be. They also dran efficiently because surface water runs between the bricks to be absorbed through the sand beneath. Furthermore, the textured surface offers good grip.
The Tiger-Stone paving machine can lay 300 square metres of road each day.
A record-breaking year for rainfall in 2012 left roads and the ground beneath them saturated with water. As the ground dries out, the tarmac has a tendency to crack and the current spell of freezing temperatures will do little to help. When water enters a crack in the road surface and freezes it expands and forces apart the road surface.
Potholes are an inconvenience to motorists because over time they can result in damage to a vehicle’s wheels, tyres and suspension, but to cyclists and motorcyclists they represent a potentially dangerous risk. Because of this, repairs are often carried out in haste and the pothole re-appears.
Pothole damage to bicycles
Cyclists can insure themselves against damage caused by potholes. Cycle insurance from the ETA includes cover against accidental damage (including at race events), personal accident, a breakdown service for cyclists and much more. Find out more the insurance also includes free advice from an expert legal team should you need it.
Over recent decades, the government at town, county and government level has failed to invest in well-engineered road surfaces. Sadly, the recession means there might be no proper investment for another ten years, but there are things you can do now.
The first thing to do when you encounter a pothole is to use one of the many reporting websites in order to alert the local authority, who are bound in law to deal with the most serious road defects within 24 hours. Three examples are fixmystreet (www.fixmystreet.com), fillthathole (www.fillthathole.org.uk/) or potholes.co.uk (www.potholes.co.uk).
In theory it is possible to claim compensation for damage or injury sustained as a result of a pothole or road defect, but in practice this can be a convoluted process and a payout is not guaranteed. A good cycle insurance policy will pay for accidental damage of this type.
Krenap
Such concrete brick paving machines are helpful to make a smooth and equal pavement. The machines are available in different sizes depend on the paving need.