Skip to main content

Pothole challenge from mild winters

Sweden is seeing an additional pothole challenge from recent mild winters.
By MJ Woof March 26, 2020 Read time: 1 min
Milder winters have actually increased the incidence of potholes in Sweden – image © courtesy of Mike Woof

Mild winters are causing issues for the Swedish road network. High rainfall and varying temperatures are causing additional wear and tear for Swedish roads, with a higher risk of potholes developing than in previous years.

Delivering long-lasting pothole repairs presents a technical challenge. Varying conditions means that the freeze thaw process is increased, as cold stretches with temperatures below freezing point are then followed by milder weather.

The cost of the problem has yet to be identified. However, the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) is now reviewing a series of solutions to reduce the pothole problem.

Related Content

  • Resilient roads: sector cooperation is the key
    March 11, 2021
    Now is the time for national road agencies and the private sector to cooperate on building more climate resilient roads, urges Dr Erik Denneman*.
  • Resilient roads: cooperation is key
    June 14, 2021
    Now is the time for national road agencies and the private sector to cooperate on building more climate resilient roads, urges Dr Erik Denneman
  • AIA’s UK ‘crumbling roads’ survey prompts call for greater Government funding
    March 14, 2013
    The annual national survey of UK local road network condition and funding claims there is a crumbling road crisis of increasing concern, prompting renewed calls for increased and longer term Government funding. Commissioned by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), the 18th Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) Survey was completed by 75% of councils across England and Wales and reports that the number of potholes filled over the last year rose to over two million - an increase of 29% on the previou
  • The cycle of potholes in the UK
    May 9, 2019
    Since 2015 almost a million potholes have been recorded annually by UK local authorities, with the 2016 count reaching 1,088,965, according to an insurance provider. The Insurance Emporium obtained data from 175 local authorities and compared it to the incidence of injury and damage claims made against these authorities by cyclists. During 2017-18, there were 335 pothole damage and injury claims filed against local authorities. Personal and dental injuries to cyclists accounted for 16% of these and d