A55 Tyre Blowout: What To Do on North Wales’s Main Expressway

The A55 North Wales Expressway runs from the English border at Holywell to Holyhead, carrying some of the highest traffic volumes in Wales. At 70 mph on a dual carriageway, a tyre failure needs immediate, correct action. This guide covers exactly what to do.

If a tyre fails on the A55

1. Stay calm and grip the wheel firmly. The car will pull toward the affected side — resist with steady pressure.
2. Do not stamp on the brakes. Let the car slow naturally first; only apply gentle braking at lower speeds.
3. Signal left and move to the hard shoulder or the nearest refuge area. The A55 has refuge areas at regular intervals — look for the orange SOS phone signs.
4. Once stopped, hazard lights on. Exit from the passenger side and move behind the barrier.
5. Call for help — do not attempt to change a tyre on the hard shoulder of a dual carriageway. We can come to you on the A55 and carry out a safe roadside replacement.

Key A55 numbers to know

• Highways Wales: 0300 123 1213 — for A55 incidents
• Emergency SOS phones — orange phones at regular intervals on the hard shoulder, connect directly to a control room
• Us: 07768 491888 — mobile tyre fitting across all A55 junctions

A55 refuge areas

The A55 has designated refuge areas (larger lay-bys off the carriageway) particularly through the tunnel sections near Conwy and near Pen-y-Clip. These are much safer than the hard shoulder and should be your target if you can reach one safely.

Common A55 tyre failure causes

• Under-inflation at motorway speed — sustained high speed generates more heat; a tyre even slightly low will overheat faster
• Pothole damage — the A55 can suffer surface deterioration, particularly in the slower junctions and slip roads. A significant impact can cause internal damage not visible externally
• Age and cracking — many drivers in North Wales use their cars year-round without replacing ageing tyres. Cold winters and coastal salt air accelerate sidewall cracking

We cover the whole A55 corridor

From Holywell and Flint in the east, through St Asaph, Abergele, Colwyn Bay, Conwy, Bangor and Caernarfon to Holyhead in the west — we carry common tyre sizes and can reach most A55 junctions quickly. Call or WhatsApp us with your junction number and we’ll be with you.