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A disabled driver has blasted the state of Renfrewshire’s roads after a pothole put his car off the road.

Stevie Pursley, 58, was left stranded after a crater blew out his tyre during the morning rush hour.

PAISLEY DAILY EXPRESS: Live news as it happens

He has demanded action after he was left footing a bill for hundreds of

pounds.

Stevie warned other drivers about cavities in the carriageway near Paisley town centre.

He said: “I was dropping off my brother-in-law early in the morning when I heard a thud.

“It was pitch black outside and the street lights did nothing to show up the huge holes in the road.

“The tyre was completely gone and I was stuck at the side of the road.

“I managed to get a hold of a mechanic who told me there was damage to the underside of the car.

“One of my boys is having to run me to the shops.

“It’s off the road while I try get this fixed.

“I rely on my car to get me around, I use a disabled badge.

“This is the last thing I need at this time of year.

“It’s an unwanted Christmas present from the local council.”

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Stevie was driving in High Calside when his car hit a dip.

Mechanics say there is substantial damage to the underside of the motor.

The retired civil servant has to fork out for repairs to a ball joint, traction and a new tyre.

He insists he will pursue a claim for damages form the local authority and has submitted a swathe of pictures and price estimates.

Stevie hit the pothole this week, just days after we laid bare the problems facing drivers on roads across the region.

As previously reported in the Express, there has been a 42 per cent surge in the number of craters being reported.

Almost 2,200 were flagged-up to roads chiefs last year – up almost 1,000 since 2014.

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Despite an increase in faults, spending on repairs has dropped.

Council bosses splashed £1,072million in 2018 – less than four years earlier.

Councillor Eddie Devine, Labour leader on Renfrewshire Council, insisted spending on carriageways is a “money pit”.

He said: “Councils are grossly underfunded.

“Potholes are one of the biggest complaints we are faced with.”

Renfrewshire Council insisted work is underway to improve surfaces.

A spokesman said: “We recognise the importance of providing a roads network which is fit for purpose and is safe for all road users.

“This is why we committed our largest ever single investment of £7.2million in 2018/19.

“The programme is almost complete, with 84 roads having been resurfaced and a further 24 carriageways being addressed to prevent future deterioration.

“This has coincided with an enhanced schedule of pot hole repairs across Renfrewshire.

“This has seen more than 8,000 repaired since last April.

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“It is part of an

approach which ensures all pot holes are repaired

in the immediate area

when attending a report from a member of the public.

“We continue to encourage people to report any issues with the road surfaces in Renfrewshire as part of our commitment to improving the quality and usability of our roads network.”