RAC reveals 'pothole plague' worse than ever in new study

Glasgow Times

23-04-2025

Some 9,439 callouts to breakdowns as a result of poor road surfaces in the UK were received by the RAC between January and March.
That was a 19% increase from 7,904 during the same period last year.
Common vehicle problems caused by potholes include damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously said broken roads 'can risk lives and cost families hundreds if not thousands of pounds on repairs', adding that councils should 'get on with the job' of repairing them.
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Potholes are often formed when water freezes and expands after entering cracks in road surfaces.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'Our pothole-related breakdown data is a very clear reflection of the true state of the UK's roads, and it sadly shows the pothole plague is as prevalent as ever.
'Suffering a breakdown due to wear and tear caused by the poor quality of roads is frustrating beyond belief, particularly as the average cost of repairing anything more than a puncture is £460.
'The cost of motoring is high enough already without having to fork out extra money to get your car back on the road.
'Drivers shouldn't have to bear the brunt of these costs – they're only having to because the roads have been allowed to get into such a dire state.
'After filling dangerous potholes as permanently as possible, we urge councils to prioritise preventative maintenance such as surface dressing to stop future potholes appearing.'
The cost of bringing pothole-plagued local roads in England and Wales up to scratch has been estimated at a record £16.8 billion.
Local roads maintenance funding for England provided by the Government for this financial year is nearly £1.6 billion – a rise of £500 million compared with the previous 12 months.
The increase is estimated to be enough to fix around seven million potholes.
A quarter of the uplift is being held back until authorities have provided evidence they are using the funding wisely.
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Local Government Association transport spokesman Adam Hug said: 'Greater, long-term funding certainty for local highways authorities – with five-yearly funding allocations on a par with National Highways – is needed to tackle the multibillion-pound local roads backlog.
'This will enable councils to better monitor, plan for and invest in preventative treatments, which keep surfaces in better condition for longer and are cheaper than reactive repairs.
'The one-year boost to pothole funding confirmed earlier this month is good, and recognition that funding had been inadequate to keep roads maintained.'
The Department for Transport has been approached for a comment.