Leeds roads are home to some of the worst potholes in Yorkshire. Here's what pothole strikes do to your tyres and what to do when damage occurs.
Leeds has some of the most heavily reported pothole issues in West Yorkshire, with roads across areas including Kirkstall, Armley, Chapeltown and the inner city particularly prone to surface deterioration. A pothole impact, even at relatively modest speeds, can cause immediate damage to tyres — particularly if the tyre is slightly under-inflated at the time of the strike, which reduces the cushioning effect of the air column.
Immediate pothole damage includes sidewall bulges, where the internal structure of the tyre has been damaged by the sudden impact force, and cuts or tears on the tyre sidewall or tread. Both are visible on inspection and mean the tyre must be replaced immediately — a bulged or cut sidewall is a structural failure risk that cannot be repaired. Even when no immediate damage is visible, a hard pothole strike can knock wheel alignment out of specification, causing progressive uneven tyre wear.
If you hit a significant pothole in Leeds, stop safely and inspect all four tyres visually. If you notice any sidewall bulging, unusual handling or vibration afterwards, do not continue driving. Call Leeds Mobile Tyres on 0113 5195572 for immediate roadside assistance anywhere across Leeds and West Yorkshire. You should also report the pothole to Leeds City Council using the FixMyStreet service — significant impact damage may be claimable from the council.
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