Large Pothole on M3 Slip Road Leaves Multiple Motorists With Flat Tyres

Several drivers have reported damaged tyres after hitting a sizeable pothole on the A303 entry slip road onto the M3 near Basingstoke. One motorist described the impact as a jolt that “shook” her car.

National Highways confirmed that at 19:18 GMT on Thursday, traffic officers encountered three vehicles pulled over on the hard shoulder, all of which had struck the pothole. The maintenance team repaired the defect later that evening, but the slip road remains closed for safety checks and further assessment.

Sarah Dillow, driving home from Andover with her daughter, said the impact was severe. “I’ve never felt anything like it,” she said. Her daughter was frightened by the jolt, and as they continued along the road, they noticed more than ten other cars pulled over, indicating widespread damage.

After calling the AA, Dillow was told her tyre could not be repaired and now sits flat on her driveway awaiting replacement. She added that a recovery driver had reported the pothole had affected approximately 36 vehicles. “It was clearly something that had worsened over time, to the point it was causing significant damage,” she said.

Another local driver, Cheryl Hart, said the hole was worse than a typical pothole. “I saw debris on the road when I hit it and noticed several cars with their hazard lights on,” she explained.

Although she managed to drive her car home, her tyre was completely flat the next morning. Hart plans to submit a claim to National Highways and expressed frustration at the authority for not addressing the issue sooner. She noted that the pothole had been temporarily repaired on previous occasions and that the situation could have resulted in accidents.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “Safety is our top priority, and we adhere to strict standards for pothole repairs. Regular inspections are carried out to reduce the risk of potholes forming. We encourage the public to report any defects so they can be addressed promptly. When potholes do occur, we aim to repair any that pose a safety risk within 24 hours.”