AIA comment on National Pothole Day

“It’s important to remember that the challenge to improve the condition of our local road network goes beyond simply filling in potholes.

“We know from our Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey 2024 that local road conditions are at an all-time low due to decades of underfunding[1] and that it would now cost more than £16 billion to tackle the backlog of repairs across England and Wales[2].

“If we want to see want to see improved conditions, local authorities need sustained, targeted and accountable funding – provided on both a needs and improvement basis – over the long term. This would allow highway engineers to carry out the right maintenance and repair interventions at the right time – delivering better value for money for the public funds allocated and helping to ensure we have a local road network that is safe, keeps people connected and supports economic growth.”

[1] ALARM 2024 reports that only 47 per cent of roads in England and Wales (including London boroughs) are classified as being in a GOOD (15 years’ or more of life remaining) structural condition.

[2] ALARM 2024 states that and that it would now cost £16.3 billion to tackle the backlog of carriageway repairs – as a one off – to bring the local road network up to a condition that would allow it to be managed cost effectively going forward as part of a proactive management approach.