Council road maintenance in England has dropped to its lowest level in five years, according to new data from the RAC. The motoring organisation's survey of local authority road maintenance found that the quality of road surfaces has deteriorated significantly, with many areas experiencing a sharp decline in maintenance. This has resulted in increasingly poor road conditions, with potholes, uneven surfaces, and other hazards becoming more common. The RAC is now calling for increased funding to address the issue, highlighting the need for a long-term solution to ensure that England's roads are safe and well-maintained. The organisation estimates that the cost of repairing potholes and other road defects has risen by 22% over the past year, to £1.2 billion. This is a significant increase, and one that is unsustainable in the long term. The RAC is urging the government to provide additional funding to support local authorities in their efforts to maintain the country's roads.
The RAC's data shows that the south-east and south-west regions of England are experiencing the greatest decline in road maintenance, with many areas seeing a significant increase in potholes and other defects. The organisation is also warning that the current funding model is unsustainable, and that a new approach is needed to ensure that England's roads are properly maintained. This could involve a combination of increased funding, new technologies, and more efficient maintenance practices.