Preston’s potholes have once again been named the biggest economic contributor to garages during a tough three years.

At this year’s prestigious Mechanics of Lancashire award ceremony, Preston’s uneven roads took the top prize, being recognised as the single biggest supporter of the area’s garages and service centres. 

The A6 junction at Watling Street Road was also honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

In an impassioned speech, the owner of a local MOT service centre acknowledged the road’s top surface as “having more craters and pits than the moon of Phobos”.

The event was a veritable who’s who of the region’s automotive industry with representatives including dealerships, tyre repair shops and detailers.

A spokesperson for Mechanics of Lancashire said: “Be it the uneven roads that make it feel like you’re driving through an air-powered Dulux paint shaker, or the forgotten about raised ironwork of Cottam’s never ending new-build developments.

“The steady low pulse of drivers carefully trying to traverse Preston’s uneven roads sounds like the opening of a Bach concerto, gradually building up a to crescendo of cash register’s opening. The sudden ping as a coil spring snaps, taking the upper mounting with it.

“Why, it’s no less magical than the opening musical sting of Beethoven’s 5th.”

Read more: Full list of Preston and South Ribble roads due for resurfacing in 2023

Recognising that the UK is pegged for the slowest economic growth in the G7, one attendee said: “It’s not always a laughing matter being wrist deep in oil, trying to loosen the bolts of a 2011 Citroen Berlingo, but knowing I’ll always have an income replacing the suspension – that’s the kind of job security that only chronic underinvestment in our travel infrastructure can provide.”

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