The bill for fixing potholes on local roads across England and Wales has topped £18 billion, new analysis from the RAC Foundation reveals. The staggering figure exposes a crisis in Britain's crumbling road network that threatens motorists' safety and costs drivers hundreds of pounds in vehicle repairs.
The RAC's findings show current funding levels cannot cope with the scale of deterioration. Years of underinvestment, combined with severe weather conditions including prolonged rain and frost, have left councils battling an ever-growing repair backlog.
Local authorities, already squeezed by tight budgets, rely on central government grants and council tax to maintain roads within their boundaries. But the money simply isn't enough to keep pace with the damage.
The consequences stretch far beyond frustrated drivers. Poorly maintained roads hit businesses hard, pushing up transport costs and slowing supply chains. Cyclists and pedestrians face daily hazards navigating deteriorating surfaces, whilst motorists fork out increasing sums for punctures and suspension damage.
Opposition parties have repeatedly slammed the Government's approach to local infrastructure funding. They argue that sustainable, long-term investment is essential to prevent further decline and ensure road safety across the UK.
Campaign groups and motoring organisations maintain that proactive investment in preventative repairs would prove far more cost-effective than tackling an expanding backlog. The current approach, they warn, creates a substantial financial and logistical burden that local councils cannot manage alone.
Source: RAC