AA blames profits fall on callout surge fuelled by 'pothole epidemic'

Effects of weather and decline in road spending hits half-year figures, spooking investorsThe AA has blamed a “pothole epidemic” caused by the “beast from the east” and low road maintenance spending for a drop in half-year profits, after it was forced to deal with the highest number of vehicle breakdown callouts in 15 years.The roadside vehicle recovery firm said core earnings fell 17% to £161m in the six months to the end of July, owing to the increased expenditure