The Government has earmarked £1.6 billion to fix the country’s roads in 2025. The figure represents a near 50% increase in local road maintenance funding and should fix somewhere in the region of seven million more potholes than in previous years.
Potholes have become an all-too-common and costly hazard on UK roads. RAC figures indicate that drivers face an average of six potholes per mile in England and Wales. While data from Allianz has revealed that the insurer paid out more than £4.6 million on pothole claims last year - with a fifth of claims resulting in a vehicle being declared as an insurance write-off.
Heidi Alexander, the Transport secretary, said: “Potholes have plagued motorists for far too long, but today’s record investment will start to reverse a decade of decline on our country’s roads. […] We are investing £1.6bn to fix up to seven million more potholes next year.”
The Government have said that they will be urging local councils to spend the money wisely, using data to proactively maintain local roads before potholes begin to form.
The transport secretary has also announced a crackdown on disruptive street works with penalty notices in place for companies that fail to comply with the rules.
There are concerns that the Government’s cash injection will still not be enough to prevent UK roads from continuing to decline. Clive Bairsto, chief executive officer of the trade association Street Works UK, also highlighted concerns around the crackdown on disruptive works. He stressed that these may raise operational costs and compromise the quality and standard of street works.
On the additional funding, AA president, Edmund King, said: “We urge councils to focus on permanent and innovative repairs rather than adopting a ‘patch and run’ approach. Better maintenance of the road network is the number one concern of drivers as damage costs a fortune and potholes can be fatal for those on two wheels.
“Clamping down on poor works carried out by utility companies and overrunning roadworks is sorely needed, and we are pleased to see action being taken here.”
