Analysis from the RAC says local authorities are on a cycle of filling potholes rather than looking after roads properly, writes Peter Brown.
The analysis found just 4,894 miles of English council-run roads were strengthened, resurfaced or preserved in 2023/24, which is just 3% of the local road network.
Commenting on these figures, Road Haulage Association (RHA) policy lead, James Barwise said: “Poorly maintained roads cause misery for road users, creating delays and adding to costs for businesses. Congestion alone costs the economy £30bn a year.
“This analysis highlights the temporary nature of repairs happening across the country. Earlier this year, we called on local authorities to allocate and ring-fence pothole funding for long-term and permanent fixes. Today we repeat this call.
“It’s clear that much more needs to be done, faster to deliver a road network fit for a modern economy, and one which drivers deserve.”
In the current issue, Transport News reports that potholes is now a political issue with government scrambling to resolve the situation with ‘almost ring-fenced’ money, and the threat that it might be taken away if the work isn’t carried out.
From money being thrown at the problem, to advance solutions like ‘self-healing’ asphalt, Transport News takes a look down into the quarry-like cavity.
As for the term ‘pothole’, its thought the Roman Empire coined it as potters would steal clay from the roads creating deep holes.
This story is featured in the latest issue of Transport News.
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