‘Huge Disparity’ in How Local Authorities Treat Road Repairs
Recent data has revealed the significant disparity in which local authorities in the UK treat road repairs.
With road maintenance levels falling by 45% in England in the last 5 years, it’s an issue that we’re no doubt familiar with – potholes are a common sight on all roads, whether it’s B-roads, A-roads, motorways or local roads.
And with the issue coming down to councils to sort rather than a national body, it can lead to significant differences in when action is taken, what is deemed severe, and the level of funding attributed to road repairs.
But with more vehicles than ever being damaged by potholes and poorly maintained roads, does more need to be done to improve the state of our roads?
Road Maintenance – What Do Local Authorities Do To Maintain and Repair Roads?
Road maintenance, repair works and improvements are always being carried out – but is enough being done?
Well, the total amount of improvements have decreased in recent years, with 764 miles of A-roads being ‘strengthened’, resurfaced or maintained in 2023, which is a 37% drop compared to 2018.
In terms of a bigger picture, the figures revealed that just 4% of the 17,853 miles of A-roads maintained by local authorities in England were maintained, resurfaced or preserved in the year ending April 2023.
That means that 96% of our roads were not upgraded, resurfaced or repaired during the year.
Budget constraints are an issue for many councils, but the reality is that this can have a significant knock-on effect on drivers and fleets.
And unsurprisingly, it’s having a knock-on effect, with roadside recovery companies attending more breakdowns than ever more. And more specifically, attending more pothole-related incidents than ever before, too.
Last year, the government launched its ‘biggest ever road resurfacing programme’ to address the issue, with an £8.3 billion fund announced, but the future of the programme is unclear as we head into a general election on 4th July 2024.
What Needs To Be Done To Repair More Potholes?
Depending on where you live, you might see investment in road repair work…
The additional funding announced last year does mean that more potholes will be repaired – but crucially, the responsibility of carrying out the repair work will remain with local authorities.
That means that some areas are more successful than others, with some well documented issues in recent years.
The funding may have a positive impact, but experts have warned that it could be a drop in the ocean compared to the level of funding needed to clear the backlog of pothole repairs.
Experts have estimated that it will take around £9 billion in investment and around 7 years at the current level of staffing and rate of repairs to clear the backlog and ensure our roads up to the standards required.
Do you think more needs to be done to repair and maintain our roads? How much of an issue are potholes for you and your fleet? Let us know in the comments below.
