According to the latest industry report, the cost of fully revising local roads in England and Wales' pothole amounts reached a new high of nearly £17 billion.
The required record is filled with one pothole every 18 seconds, despite an increase in government funding to target road repairs.
Report Nearly a sixth of local roads (equivalent to almost 35,000 miles) must be relocated within five years by the Asphalt Industry Union (AIA), which surveys local governments in England and Wales each year to monitor the status of the network.
“Almost all (94%) local highway teams reported that in their opinion there was no improvement in their local network last year,” said David Giles, chairman of the AIA.
AIA's annual Local Government Road Maintenance (Alarm) report said local governments should add another £7.4 million last year to prevent further deterioration.
The report calculated that a one-time £16.8 billion would be needed to bring the network to “ideal” conditions.
It contributes to all holes in cold and rainy weather, heavy traffic, wear and tear, and poor road construction.
The motor vehicle group said the numbers highlighted the “desolate picture” of the driver after the AA previously reported much. One in three suffered damage to the pothole On the vehicle.
AA President Edmund King said the report said attempts to tackle the pothole epidemic “were two steps ahead and three levels behind,” adding that “the UK is close to getting out of this rut.”
Simon Williams, RAC policy chief, said: “These numbers paint a dark picture and make sure the majority of drivers have known for a long time. In too many parts of the country, road surfaces simply aren't suitable for purpose. A lack of investment in roads is a false economy as it will lead to greater repair costs in the future.”
In another study, repair company Kwik Fit estimated that the total cost for drivers from pothole damage to the vehicle last year was £1.7 billion, with an average invoice of £144.
After the newsletter promotion
Nicholas Lyes, director of road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said: “Potholes are an expensive headache for drivers, but for those on two wheels it poses a serious road safety hazard.”
Councillor Adam Hug, a transportation spokesman for the Local Government Association, said: “Given the inflation and high demand pressure on local government statutory services, it is not surprising that the backlog of local road repairs continues to rise.
“The increase in funding for the last budget is positive and we need to continue our commitment to spending reviews on long-term financial packages to tackle this backlog and reverse it.”
A department of the Department of Transport spokesman said: 1.6 billion Investment To help local governments resurface local roads and make up to 7m extra potholes next year. ”
