Flat tyres, broken wheel rims and damaged suspension parts have moved to

the top of many recovery operators call out lists, since the big freeze and the big thaw left Ireland’s road network with more potholes than ever before.

    An AA Motor Insurance poll carried out last year, showed in 2010, pothole damage repairs were 20% up on 2009 and Director of AA Motor Insurance, John Farrell says, things could get much worse in 2011. AA Roadwatch meanwhile reports that the problem is particularly bad in Cork, Dublin, Meath, Tipperary and Cavan.

    AA Patrols alone have been called out to nearly 1,000 motorists stranded by flat tyres since the post Christmas thaw and in many chases tyre troubles are accompanied by bent wheel rims. With councils under pressure to repair roads quickly and the weather still very changeable, the problem is being compounded by patched repairs breaking up, sometimes causing more damage. The AA also warns that many insurers classify tyre damage caused in this way as normal wear and tear, so they will not cover the cost of replacement.