About our Potholes news
Latest news on potholes in the UK, including the latest ALARM survey findings, growing repair backlogs, and the impact on local authorities, motorists, cyclists, and vulnerable road users.
The 2024 Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey, published by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), reveals that more than half of the local road network in England and Wales could fail in the next 15 years as the backlog of repairs reaches a record high of £16.3 billion. Despite local authorities spending nearly £140 million filling in two million potholes over the last 12 months, surface conditions have declined, highlighting the scale of the challenge faced by underfunded highway teams.
Rick Green, Chair of the AIA, emphasises that while local authorities have slightly more money to spend this year, rising costs due to inflation mean they have been able to do less with it. This, coupled with increasingly extreme weather, has accelerated the rate at which local roads are deteriorating. The survey found that over 107,000 miles of local roads could need to be practically rebuilt within the next 15 years, with more than 34,000 miles already identified as structurally poor, having less than 5 years' life remaining.
The deteriorating condition of local roads has significant consequences for all road users. The AA's breakdown data shows that 2023 was the worst year for pothole-related incidents in five years, while Cycling UK warns of the risks posed to vulnerable road users, particularly cyclists. The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) also emphasises the danger poorly maintained road surfaces present to motorcyclists, calling for increased, ring-fenced funding for road maintenance.
While the government has allocated additional funding for road maintenance, including £8.3 billion diverted from HS2 over the next 11 years, many argue that this is insufficient to address the scale of the problem. The Local Government Association's Transport Spokesperson, Cllr Darren Rodwell, stresses that the backlog of repairs is almost double the extra amount promised by the government, and calls for a long-term plan with year-on-year funding certainty to reverse the decline and save lives and costs for all road users.
Stay informed about the latest developments in the UK's pothole crisis with our comprehensive NewsNow feed, which brings together the most relevant headlines from reliable sources. From the latest ALARM survey findings to the growing chorus of calls for increased, targeted funding, our feed ensures you have a complete picture of the challenges facing local road maintenance and the impact on all road users.
As the UK continues to grapple with the pothole crisis, a comprehensive, long-term approach to local road maintenance and infrastructure investment is crucial. By staying up-to-date with the latest news and developments through our NewsNow feed, road users and local communities can effectively advocate for better road conditions and hold their elected officials accountable for addressing this pressing issue.