A MOTORIST who suffers from a debilitating illness which can lead to increased pain sensitivity across the body has told how Renfrewshire’s pothole epidemic has left her in agony.

While many drivers have been left fuming over the state of local roads, the problem is considerably worse for Abby Wood, who suffers from fibromyalgia.

The syndrome – the exact cause of which remains shrouded in mystery – can make even the simplest of daily tasks intolerable for Abby.

She told The Gazette: “Doing normal things can be extremely painful and exhausting. Even the touch of clothes on your skin can leave you with an intense burning feeling.

“Then you add driving in. Sitting in one position for a long period of time can be agonising, even on a pothole-free road.”

As revealed in a special investigation by The Gazette earlier this year, motorists in towns and villages across Renfrewshire have been demanding action to deal with the plague of potholes that can be found on the region’s crumbling carriageways.

Driving is a necessity for Abby, who lives in Inchinnan but has to travel to Johnstone by car for work and to Langbank to visit her parents.

She said that, when she gets behind the wheel, the shuddering effect of navigating through countless potholes aggravates her condition.

“Potholes cause serious problems for everyone but, for me, they are agonising,” she explained. “When I leave my house, I run into potholes as you exit the village and they have appeared all along every small stretch of Old Greenock Road.

“The crossing at this intersection was changed only a few months ago, so it is a disgrace that potholes have appeared there already.

“They continue for most of my journeys and it seems near impossible not to hit one.

“By the time I get to my destination, I am in unbearable amounts of pain – and that’s usually before I start a 10-hour work shift.”

Abby said the extreme pain suffered as her car ran over numerous potholes led to her taking four weeks off work.

She added: “Every time I hit a pothole, my body feels it. I get intense stabbing pains all through my legs and back.

“Sometimes I try to prepare myself for hitting the holes, which only worsens the pain due to the tension built up in my body.

“People are affected by the road damage in all types of ways but, for people with fibromyalgia and other disabilities, it causes real problems.”

A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council stressed that a record investment of more than £7million is being ploughed into a roads repair programme this year.

Routes in line for improvements include a number in and around Inchinnan.

Council chiefs have said the investment will have a particular focus on undertaking high-quality repairs and includes an increased resource commitment to post-repair inspections.

The spokesperson added: “We recognise the importance of providing a roads network which is fit for purpose and is safe for all road users throughout the area.

“We have committed the largest ever single investment of £7.2million in Renfrewshire’s roads in 2018/19, which will see resurfacing take place on 86 roads, including within Inchinnan, Bishopton and Langbank, as well as a further 33 roads undergoing work to protect them for the future.

“The programme will also coincide with an enhanced schedule of pothole repairs across Renfrewshire, which will allow all of our communities to see a tangible improvement to the quality of roads in their area.”

The full list of roads included in the repairs programme can be found online at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/roads2018-19.