Potholes form when water seeps into cracks in the road and freezes, breaking up the asphalt.

BBC: Swaton village's 'Eric the pothole' finally filled in

Supporters said the road network was "near breaking point" and new housing would make the problem worse.

BBC: Nottingham tram

Colombo had calculated that Tiger supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran would throw his guerrillas at the army to prevent it breaking through the road.

CNN: THE ROAD OF NO RETURN

Breaking stones by the road in sullen drudgery for two dollars a day, they are an unhappy contrast with the gaily-clad Bhutanese.

ECONOMIST: Bhutan's mock election