UK motorists are advised to anticipate a rise in the number of potholes on roads, a consequence of the country experiencing its hottest summer on record. While potholes are often linked to cold or wet conditions, the RAC states that prolonged heat can also inflict lasting damage on road surfaces.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, explained that intense UV exposure and heat gradually oxidise the bitumen in asphalt, making surfaces brittle and susceptible to cracking. These cracks can then quickly develop into serious defects with traffic and subsequent rainfall.
The Asphalt Industry Alliance previously reported that only half of the road network in England and Wales was in good condition after last winter. The recent series of heatwaves, with temperatures exceeding 38C in some areas, has further damaged these roads.
Mike Hansford, chief executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association, noted that extreme weather, including increased summer UV radiation and colder, wetter winter conditions, can accelerate road deterioration.
In response to the pothole issue, council highway budgets in England have been increased to £1.6bn for 2025-26. Additionally, £7.3bn was allocated in November's budget for road improvement works up to the end of the decade, which is intended to support long-term maintenance plans for councils.
The Department for Transport also introduced new requirements in June for English councils. These mandate councils to demonstrate efforts towards long-term solutions for fixing potholes and roads, with a potential loss of up to a third of their road maintenance funding if they fail to comply.