News
Motorist Claims Potholes Caused Three Tyre Blowouts in Seven Days
A resident of County Down has expressed frustration and anxiety following an incident in which he damaged three tyres while driving on a particular road.
The jarring impact of a car hitting a pothole is a familiar experience for many drivers, often followed by a sense of trepidation as they assess potential damage.
This shared experience is marked by a common sequence of events: the initial shock, followed by a series of nervous checks to determine if any harm has been done to the vehicle.
John Smyth has firsthand knowledge of the potential consequences of such encounters, having experienced significant damage to his vehicle.
In a span of just one week in December, Smyth suffered two separate incidents of tyre damage due to potholes, resulting in costly repairs.
The financial burden and emotional toll of these events have left Smyth feeling a mix of frustration and anxiety about driving.
"Currently, I don't feel secure on the roads," he stated, highlighting the severity of the issue.
Smyth described the impact of hitting a pothole as "quite severe," underscoring the need for caution.
Unfortunately, Smyth's situation is not an isolated incident, as many drivers can attest to similar experiences.
Conversations with drivers often reveal stories of damage or near-misses caused by potholes, suggesting a widespread problem.
According to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, approximately 49,000 road defects were reported in Northern Ireland over the past three months.
In response, Minister Kimmins has instructed department officials to maximize their workforce capacity to address the issue as efficiently as possible.
Recently, her department allocated nearly £8m to combat the problem, signaling a commitment to finding a solution.
However, with some mechanics reporting up to 10 cases of pothole-related damage daily, the scale of the problem raises concerns about its potential magnitude.
Smyth, a resident of Mayobridge, now exercises extreme caution while driving, constantly vigilant for potholes, a task made more challenging by inclement weather.
He advises others who have suffered similar damage to document the pothole and the resulting damage, and to provide detailed information about the location of the incident.
Smyth expressed disappointment with the department's handling of the issue, feeling that not enough is being done to address it.
He criticized the repair work as superficial, likening it to a temporary fix that ultimately proves ineffective.
"The repairs are not done properly; it's just a quick fix that doesn't last," he explained.
Smyth noted that this approach leads to a cycle of repeated damage and repair, with the problem persisting over time.
As a taxpayer and road user, Smyth expressed outrage at the system's failure to adequately maintain the roads.
The issue of potholes is not limited to specific routes, such as those around the Mourne Mountains, but is a more widespread problem.
Wilson Beggs, a resident of Ballyclare, described the condition of the Ballycorr Road as barely passable, with numerous potholes posing a hazard to drivers.
Beggs stated that the road's condition has deteriorated significantly since he moved to the area.
"The potholes are so numerous that drivers are forced to swerve to avoid them, potentially putting oncoming traffic at risk," he observed.
Beggs noted that recent attempts to fill potholes have been short-lived, with the repairs failing to withstand the test of time.
"The current approach is akin to applying a band-aid to a more profound problem, wasting resources in the process," he said.
Beggs highlighted a specific section of the road where the gullies are now higher than the road surface, leading to flooding during heavy rainfall.
Despite reporting this issue to the department over a year ago, no action has been taken, leaving Beggs feeling ignored.
"Residents are fed up with the situation and feel neglected," he stated.
According to the RAC, the UK is home to over one million potholes, indicating that this is a national issue.
Local data from 2024 reveals that Northern Ireland recorded around 120,000 road defects and potholes between January and November of that year.
A dedicated website allows road users to report defects, which requires providing detailed information.
The AA recommends that drivers and cyclists avoid potholes whenever possible, and when unavoidable, reduce speed and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, while keeping both hands on the wheel for maximum control.
News
GB men’s curling team suffers upset defeat to Italy
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Great Britain’s men’s curling team mounted a comeback against Italy following a disappointing beginning, ultimately falling short in their inaugural match.
Despite a valiant comeback, Team GB ultimately fell short as Italy held their composure to secure the win in the final end.
A dismal start to the match proved costly for Team GB's men, as they suffered their first defeat of the Winter Olympics at the hands of host nation Italy, despite a spirited fightback in the packed Cortina Curling Stadium.
Following victories in their first two matches, including a win over the Swedish rink that beat them in the gold-medal match four years ago, Team GB entered their second high-profile encounter in as many days in a confident position.
However, a disastrous opening end, in which Italy stole four points, left Team GB trailing and facing an uphill battle in front of a boisterous home crowd.
The British team, currently ranked number one in the world, gradually regained their footing and managed to level the score by the ninth end.
Ultimately, Italy maintained their composure in the final end to emerge victorious, winning 9-7 and adding Team GB to their list of scalps, which already included the Swedes.
"We had to dig deep and play some solid curling, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get us over the line," Team GB lead Hammy McMillan said in an interview with BBC Sport.
With seven wins from nine round-robin matches guaranteeing a spot in the semi-finals, Team GB remains in a strong position, although fewer wins may still be sufficient to advance.
The women's team is set to take to the ice next, facing South Korea in their second match at 13:05 GMT, while the men will return to action on Saturday against the Czech Republic at the same time.
Team GB is at the forefront of curling's technological advancements.
Embracing what sets you apart can be a powerful asset, according to some athletes.
A daily guide to the Winter Olympics is available for those looking to stay up-to-date with the action.
The looks of shock on the faces of Team GB's curlers told the story of a disastrous opening end.
With a stone in play, Mouat attempted a risky shot in an effort to claim two points, but it backfired, resulting in none of Team GB's stones in the house and four Italian stones in position.
However, the Scottish quartet, ranked number one in the world, quickly regained their composure and got back to their game.
The teams exchanged singles before a impressive final throw by Mouat, aided by a measurement to determine which stone was closest to the button, allowed Team GB to claim two points and narrow the gap to 5-3.
Another excellent team effort, which included a well-judged throw by Mouat, a solid sweep by Hammy McMillan and Bobby Lammie, and Grant Hardie's strategic expertise, forced Italy to concede a point in the fourth end, reducing the deficit to a single point at the break.
Italy blanked the sixth end and added two points in the seventh to rebuild their lead, but Team GB fought back with two points of their own, remarkably levelling the score with one end remaining after a steal.
The match came down to the final end, but Italy held their nerve to secure the win, prompting a deafening roar from the crowd.
"It's an incredible experience, and we need to get used to it," McMillan added, describing the electric atmosphere as "surreal" and "cool," more akin to a football match than a typical curling crowd.
News
Scotland Kicks Off Nations League Against Slovenia
Uefa has released the schedule for the Nations League, with Scotland set to begin their campaign on 26 September with an away match against Slovenia.
Uefa has released the schedule for the Nations League, with Scotland's campaign set to begin on 26 September with an away match against Slovenia.
The team's six group stage games will be played within a three-month period, culminating in a match against Switzerland on 16 November.
The fixture list was announced following Thursday's draw, which placed Scotland in a group with Switzerland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia.
Having been relegated from League A after a play-off loss to Greece last year, Scotland will compete in the second tier of the Nations League this year.
In response to the draw, head coach Steve Clarke noted that the teams in the group appear to be evenly matched.
Clarke reflected on the team's past experience in the competition, stating that it has been beneficial for Scotland.
He emphasized the importance of the Nations League, citing its role in helping the team qualify for Euro 2020, and anticipated a challenging set of matches.
A key matchup in the Nations League will see Scotland face off against Switzerland.
The group stage will determine the teams' fates, with the winner earning promotion, the runner-up entering a play-off, the third-placed team facing a relegation play-off, and the fourth-placed team being relegated directly.
The upcoming group games will mark a reunion for Scotland and Switzerland, who previously drew 1-1 in Cologne at Euro 2024.
Scotland's last encounter with Slovenia was during the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, when they won 1-0 at home and drew 2-2 away.
The team has not played North Macedonia since the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, when they drew 1-1 at home and won 2-1 away, with goals from Ikechi Anya and Shaun Maloney.
The schedule for Scotland's Nations League campaign begins on 26 September with a match against Slovenia.
The team will then host Switzerland on 29 September, followed by a trip to face North Macedonia on 3 October.
Scotland will then play Slovenia at home on 6 October, before hosting North Macedonia on 11 November.
The final group stage match will see Scotland travel to face Switzerland on 16 November.
The team's home match against North Macedonia is set for 11 November.
The campaign will conclude with an away match against Switzerland on 16 November.
News
Golfer McIlroy Sinks Bunker Shot at Pebble Beach Pro-Am
At the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California, Rory McIlroy achieved an eagle on the 14th hole at Spyglass Hill, capping off his opening round with a score of 68.
During the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California, Rory McIlroy achieved an eagle on the 14th hole at Spyglass Hill, contributing to his first-round score of 68.
For further information, Rory McIlroy had a solid opening round, while Hisatsune took the lead.
Access to this content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.
-
News8 hours agoAustralian Politics Faces Questions Over Gender Equality Amid Sussan Ley’s Appointment
-
News5 hours agoFarage Says Reform to Replace Traditional Tory Party
-
News5 hours agoWrexham Pair Seek Win Against Former Team Ipswich
-
News11 hours agoLiberal Party Removes Australia’s First Female Leader
-
News8 hours agoUK Braces for Cold Snap with Snow and Ice Alerts Expected
-
News5 hours agoHusband’s alleged £600k theft for sex and antiques blamed on drug side effects
-
Business11 hours agoBBC Reporter Exposed to Cyber Attack Due to Vulnerabilities in AI Coding Tool
-
News8 hours agoCanadian Town Unites in Mourning After Mass Shooting Leaves Community Reeling