More motorists have contacted the Chron after damaging their cars while ‘running the gauntlet’ of potholes on the A43 in the county.
Smashed wheels, damaged steering and airbags deploying are three results of cars which are said to have hit craters on the dual-carriageway between Towcester and Silverstone.
Steve Allan and Dave Simpson both contacted the Chron after reading about Steve Dean’s experience on the A43 in last week’s edition. He nearly lost control after hitting a pothole in heavy snow.
Mr Allan, aged 38, of Hunsbury Hill, Northampton, was driving at rush hour on a Friday in his Mercedes Smart car, when he hit a pothole and it set off his airbag.
He said: “It filled the car with smoke. It stinks and you hear a loud bang. I was disorientated and I was absolutely convinced I’d gone into the pothole and someone had gone into the back of me.”
Mr Allan ended up with a bill for £500, and said he will be claiming for compensation.
Dave Simpson, aged 51, of Baines Way, Grange Park, Northampton, damaged his steering in a similar incident.He said: “I was already aware of some holes in the road and was being cautious, but even so I hit what felt like a crater.
“Immediately I noticed a vibration through the steering wheel. I ended up with repair cost of £172. I travel on the A43 on a daily basis and while temporary repairs keep being made, more potholes keep appearing.”
A Highways Agency spokesman said last week: “We will be bringing forward further schemes as part of our 2013-14 programme to address the sections of the A43 most urgently in need of resurfacing.”
This week, the spokesman added the proposals were still going through the agency’s processes to ensure its schemes were value for money for the taxpayer.
Confirmation is expected in the next fortnight.
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