A driver is urging the council to repair a large pothole in St Albans which he warns could be “catastrophic” to cyclists.

Herts Advertiser: The large pothole on Sandpit Lane which caused damage to John Armstrong's son's car. Picture: Danny LooThe large pothole on Sandpit Lane which caused damage to John Armstrong's son's car. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2017)

John Armstrong, 55, of Charlotte Close, was being picked up in the car by his son on Thursday when they went over a pothole on Sandpit Lane, near the junction with Gurney Court Road.

He said: “It’s absolutely huge. My son hit the pothole and I thought we’d hit another car. It ripped the tyre to shreds.

“I just had the wheel repaired and the tyre replaced - obviously I expect the council to pay for it.”

John, who is a window cleaner and a retired police officer, said he saw many cars which had been damaged by the pothole and had pulled over nearby.

Herts Advertiser: Evidence of damage to car wheels and the road surface lie next to the large pothole on Sandpit Lane. Picture: Danny LooEvidence of damage to car wheels and the road surface lie next to the large pothole on Sandpit Lane. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2017)

He said: “Somebody there phoned the police and said you need to do something about this. I’m guessing about 20 vehicles have been extensively damaged.

“I have been living in St Albans for 20 years and it’s the worst pothole I’ve ever seen. Had a cyclist gone into that they probably wouldn’t have survived it.

“It would have been catastrophic.”

Kevin Carroll, divisional manager of the councils’ highways contractor Ringway, said: “The pothole in Sandpit Lane near the junction with Gurney Court Road has been inspected and meets the county council’s guidelines for urgent repair.

“The timescale for the repair here is 20 working days and to undertake the repair safely the use of temporary traffic lights will be required.

“Works are expected to take place before June 7.”