Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey

Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) Survey Report

2025 survey highlights continued misery for local road users

Every year the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) commissions an independent survey of local authority highway departments in England (including London) and Wales.

The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey report provides detailed insight into the funding and conditions of the local road network, based on information provided directly by those responsible for its maintenance. This year submissions were received from almost 80% of local authorities in England and Wales, providing robust findings which are used by stakeholders across the sector for tracking, benchmarking and planning purposes.

ALARM 2025 data shows that the backlog of carriageway repairs in England and Wales has reached new heights at almost £17 billion – the highest figure in 30 years of reporting – and that roads are only resurfaced, on average, once every 93 years.

That’s why we’re calling for a complete change in mindset away from short-term funding to longer-term commitments to allow local authorities to proactively improve the network.