The Government has announced new funds to help deal with the enormous pothole problem around the UK that is widely accepted and welcomed by all. However, the £100 million set aside for the repairs is ‘a drop in the ocean’ compared to the estimated £9 billion needed to fix the UK’s roads urgently, say the RAC.
The UK road system is effectively wearing out. Ten years of austerity cuts to normal investment levels (pre-2008) means upgrading road repairs has fallen to such a degree that the tarmac is losing its strength and falling apart. The cold snap of weather in early 2018 has simply accelerated and exposed the fragility of a road system that needs massive investment to repair or replace.
Weather problems
The new funding was announced this week by Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, following a period of severe weather that has caused more damage to the UK’s roads and footpaths. Mr Grayling said the £100 million cash injection would pay for around two million potholes to be filled.
In the announcement, he confirmed that the unusually severe spell of freezing weather has caused much damage to roads and that local councils need more funding to help deal with the problem. The aim is to help motorists and cyclists make their journeys without continually dodging potholes or serious road accidents.
Mixed response
While the Local Government Association (LGA) were pleased with the move, there was guarded optimism in the movement to deal with what is a much bigger problem. According to the LGA, the cost of fixing all the potholes in England and Wales alone would cost more than £9 billion.
Martin Tett, the LGA transport spokesman, said that it is a positive move that the Government has listened to local councils and made more funding available to repair the roads affected by the recent harsh weather. However, the funding is only 1% of what is needed to deal with the overall road condition problems.
The response from the RAC was along the same lines. Head of roads policy, Nicholas Lyes, said: “The announcement was welcome, and that the money would boost local council’s ability to deal with crumbling roads”. However, their data shows that patrols were attending over 200 breakdowns a day relating to potholes in the week after the cold snap.
Fatal cyclist problem
The RAC also has estimated that £9 billion is needed to deal with the issues in road conditions and view this new money as ‘a drop in the ocean’ compared to what is needed. They also highlight the dangers of poor quality road surfaces including expensive damage to cars and even the potential to be fatal to cyclists.
This case was continued by the Cycling UK charity who said they were disappointed that the fund was only designed to do ‘patchwork jobs’ and is already too little, too late. They likened the situation to a doctor putting a broken leg in plaster before setting the fracture – the bone is still weak, poorly healed and as likely to break again.
In fact, the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured due to the poor condition of roads has tripled in the last decade. 71 people were killed or seriously injured in 2016, an increase from 22 in 2006. This rise is well above the general increase in cyclists’ numbers for that period which has increased by around 50%.
Ticking road timebomb
Experts point out that potholes are just part of the problem – the ageing road network is a ticking time bomb that needs to be dealt with. One report from the Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) showed that there is a £556 million funding gap in what local authorities in England and Wales alone have and what they need.
The report went on to say there are 24,400 miles of road that need essential maintenance in the next year. It is the same distance as driving from Birmingham to Beijing three and a half times. Moreover, more worryingly, they estimate that 20% of the highways across the country have less than five year’s life left in them, an increase from just 12% two years ago.
While the latest Government funding is a positive step forward, there is little doubt that much more is needed to avoid drivers having to spend their time worrying about potholes on top of everything else on the road.
One hopes we see the Chancellor take action in the Autumn budget and find the money required to repair the UK road infrastructure. It is after all the backbone of the economy and is one of the single most significant contributors to productivity, something which the Government recognises we need to invest in as a country.
Do you agree that the country’s roads are falling into a distressed state? Do you think the £100m pothole fund is enough or an insult to what is needed? Let us know in the comments below.
Typical lack of foresight blaming winter weather; that’s what should be expected over the winter months. Have recently driven in The Gambia, Madeira and Cyprus and all the tarmacked roads are usable with no potholes.
Are we now not a poor third rate country?
In our area there’s barely any tarmac left between the potholes, so £50 to repair each hole is irrelevant when entire roads need resurfacing.
It’s also not just the damage done to tyres, shock absorbers, etc. Potholes are also knocking wheel alignments out. This also causes accelerated damage to tyres. I would be interested to see how much this is adding to motorist’s running costs. Getting the tracking corrected is expensive.
A stitch in time saves nine. Why leave small potholes and wait until they are large and expensive to repair?
Worse councils font want potholes reported. DCC only allow one pothole per online complaint. You have to report each separately.
Complete waste of money! Resurfacing the roads is the only way !
Tony, I guess you mean asphalt replacement not the stray and re-stone stuff that paints the road black that then has to be dusted.
But will councils spend the money on repairing potholes
Just returned from a holiday in Cornwall and were disgusted by the state of the roads! We saw at least 4 vehicles with wish bone damage due to this problem!
Some years ago, the EU awarded Sheffield council a substantial sum to resurface a, near, generation of neglected roads, There were no conditions attached to this award, and the money was, subsequently, diverted into the social services sinkhole.
Another grant was, more recently, provided by the EU which had carefully ring-fenced conditions attached. The roads are, at last, being resurfaced. Unfortunately, the quality of the work being carried out is, quite clearly, very cheap and nasty, and unlikely to last through next winter.
This is typical of the roads in Edinburgh and most of Scotland. In fact they are dangerous in the extreme.
Most of the council are apparently reducing their road maintenance budgets by at least 20%
It will only change as people start getting killed as a result…
So potholes only kill cars and cyclists, I’d have thought any road user was at risk whether being a tricycle or a 40 ton truck
Did anyone see on TV the other night about plastic roads, roads made out of plastic waste bottles and such. Interesting.
I no longer drive in the Huddersfield area if i have a choice, as the “roads” have no surface, just patches on patches with pothole in between. In leeds there are roads that were “resurfaced” three years ago so poorly that they have worn through already. Also junctions on dual carrageways that need digging out and rebuilding.
Unless we are given information as to where all the taxpayers money goes we are not able to judge how much should be spent on roads or sports facilities or the NHS or charities or MP’s expenses etc. Then there is the cost to repair a hole or is it done by the length of road irrespective of the number of holes or is it done by the close proximity of the holes? Where I live there appears to be only repairs to identified pot holes of a certain size or depth. The time taken between identifying and repairing means the ones missed are now of a size for repair. I do wonder if the money allowed is spent on salaries first then there is nothing left for the repairs. Like buying a Soldier a new machine gun but not having the money to buy bullets.
Councils have neglected the roads whilst they fritter away money on other, none essential things. Our council, Worcestershire County Council, are absolutely terrible. I know more about roads than their incompetent highways department!
‘Repairing’ potholes with a shovelful of tarmac barely tamped down is a TOTAL waste of money. If a council were to do it properly (in accordance with the New Roads & Street Works Act, with which they are all SUPPOSED to comply) i.e. saw cut vertical sides; clean out the hole; apply liquid tar sealant; fill the whole on layers [depending on the initial depth]; compacting as you go along; and then seal the edges again when finished then the repair would last for YEARS. Failing that, they are much better planing down & re-surfacing the whole road. The road on which I have lived for 29 years has never been properly resurfaced during that time and, I am told by neighbours, nor was it for years before that. Our potholes have been patched and the patches re-patched.
During 2016, the government collected £29billion in fuel duty and £6billion in VED. I would have thought that was a problem solved.
It doesn’t help when utility company works are finished badly and the local authority is too short on staff to check and enforce good standards. Utility company contractors are getting away with shoddy work that the taxpayer will have to pay for when the surface deteriorates prematurely.
Also, again related to underfunded local authorities, the lack of enforcement of landowner responsibility in terms of roadside ditch maintenance means more water on the roads, with accelerated wear and tear as a result. The list of issues from ‘austerity’ goes on -penny-pinching that we’ll pay more to fix in the long run. Let’s face it, we need to raise revenue by a general income-tax increase so that society pays for services it benefits from.
Typical lack of foresight blaming winter weather; that’s what should be expected over the winter months. Have recently driven in The Gambia, Madeira and Cyprus and all the tarmacked roads are usable with no potholes.
Are we now not a poor third rate country?
Not many frosts in the Gambia, Madeira or Cyprus, which is the cause of the breakdown of the surface. However, I have ridden on main French roads that are pothole free and smooth, no problems whatsoever. We can also blame the density of heavy traffic that is wearing away the surface.
I agree, I have driven on better dirt roads in Africa than our roads today.
In our area there’s barely any tarmac left between the potholes, so £50 to repair each hole is irrelevant when entire roads need resurfacing.
It’s also not just the damage done to tyres, shock absorbers, etc. Potholes are also knocking wheel alignments out. This also causes accelerated damage to tyres. I would be interested to see how much this is adding to motorist’s running costs. Getting the tracking corrected is expensive.
A stitch in time saves nine. Why leave small potholes and wait until they are large and expensive to repair?
Worse councils font want potholes reported. DCC only allow one pothole per online complaint. You have to report each separately.
Complete waste of money! Resurfacing the roads is the only way !
Tony, I guess you mean asphalt replacement not the stray and re-stone stuff that paints the road black that then has to be dusted.
But will councils spend the money on repairing potholes
Paisley in Renfrewshire must win the prize for the most and deepest potholes. We have them on the concrete flyover on the St. James interchange from the M8 motorway, on the motorway itself, the B775 over the Gleniffer Braes and nothing to do with the recent snow as these potholes have been there for at least 20 years. There is a stretch from Beith to Glengarnock on the road to Largs which is disgraceful and has been for ages.(|OK different council but the same problem) The right turn from Lochfield Road in Paisley into Barrhead Road is a bone jarring nightmare. The centre of Paisley is littered with potholes, St. James Street, Incle Street and so on – Holes all over the place and yet the local council have had at least four or more expensive firework displays in the last year, costing heaven knows how much.
Just returned from a holiday in Cornwall and were disgusted by the state of the roads! We saw at least 4 vehicles with wish bone damage due to this problem!
Some years ago, the EU awarded Sheffield council a substantial sum to resurface a, near, generation of neglected roads, There were no conditions attached to this award, and the money was, subsequently, diverted into the social services sinkhole.
Another grant was, more recently, provided by the EU which had carefully ring-fenced conditions attached. The roads are, at last, being resurfaced. Unfortunately, the quality of the work being carried out is, quite clearly, very cheap and nasty, and unlikely to last through next winter.
This is typical of the roads in Edinburgh and most of Scotland. In fact they are dangerous in the extreme.
Most of the council are apparently reducing their road maintenance budgets by at least 20%
It will only change as people start getting killed as a result…
Had a holiday in Ayr last year and the roads on the way up, once we crossed the border into Scotland, unbelievable! I feel especially sorry for drivers in Scotland.
So potholes only kill cars and cyclists, I’d have thought any road user was at risk whether being a tricycle or a 40 ton truck
Did anyone see on TV the other night about plastic roads, roads made out of plastic waste bottles and such. Interesting.
We already have some in Carlisle. I do wonder though as they wear down, where does all that plastic dust go, into the city air?
I no longer drive in the Huddersfield area if i have a choice, as the “roads” have no surface, just patches on patches with pothole in between. In leeds there are roads that were “resurfaced” three years ago so poorly that they have worn through already. Also junctions on dual carrageways that need digging out and rebuilding.
Unless we are given information as to where all the taxpayers money goes we are not able to judge how much should be spent on roads or sports facilities or the NHS or charities or MP’s expenses etc. Then there is the cost to repair a hole or is it done by the length of road irrespective of the number of holes or is it done by the close proximity of the holes? Where I live there appears to be only repairs to identified pot holes of a certain size or depth. The time taken between identifying and repairing means the ones missed are now of a size for repair. I do wonder if the money allowed is spent on salaries first then there is nothing left for the repairs. Like buying a Soldier a new machine gun but not having the money to buy bullets.
Councils have neglected the roads whilst they fritter away money on other, none essential things. Our council, Worcestershire County Council, are absolutely terrible. I know more about roads than their incompetent highways department!
‘Repairing’ potholes with a shovelful of tarmac barely tamped down is a TOTAL waste of money. If a council were to do it properly (in accordance with the New Roads & Street Works Act, with which they are all SUPPOSED to comply) i.e. saw cut vertical sides; clean out the hole; apply liquid tar sealant; fill the whole on layers [depending on the initial depth]; compacting as you go along; and then seal the edges again when finished then the repair would last for YEARS. Failing that, they are much better planing down & re-surfacing the whole road. The road on which I have lived for 29 years has never been properly resurfaced during that time and, I am told by neighbours, nor was it for years before that. Our potholes have been patched and the patches re-patched.
Dazzer hit the nail on the head. In Dorset (and I’m sure elsewhere) they use inferior material to fill holes, without proper preparation. Result is a temporary fix, complete with a poor surface. I’ve raised this with highways dept several times – shrug of the shoulders – it’s what’s mandated by national govt (ie. just following orders). And where a long stretch is repaired, the result is a corrugated finish, which typically lasts 12 months or so, when it then gets peppered with patches. What a mess. The last 2 council tax payers surveys have shown roads as being the no. 1 concern – doesn’t seem to have had any effect on council activities tho. I have suggested the highways dept people pop over to just about any of the EU countries to see how things should be done.
During 2016, the government collected £29billion in fuel duty and £6billion in VED. I would have thought that was a problem solved.
It doesn’t help when utility company works are finished badly and the local authority is too short on staff to check and enforce good standards. Utility company contractors are getting away with shoddy work that the taxpayer will have to pay for when the surface deteriorates prematurely.
Also, again related to underfunded local authorities, the lack of enforcement of landowner responsibility in terms of roadside ditch maintenance means more water on the roads, with accelerated wear and tear as a result. The list of issues from ‘austerity’ goes on -penny-pinching that we’ll pay more to fix in the long run. Let’s face it, we need to raise revenue by a general income-tax increase so that society pays for services it benefits from.
Stop blaming Austerity – If ALL the money was used on roads from Road Tax – instead of looting it for other projects.
That’s what drivers have paid for – OR instead of taking care of other countrys roads – I.E. OVERSEAS AID! and Despots!
“The Government has announced new funds to help deal with the enormous pothole problem around the UK that is widely accepted and welcomed by all.”
This could have been better put. However, I agree wholeheartedly with the content of the article.
“The Government has announced new funds to help deal with the enormous pothole problem around the UK that is widely accepted and welcomed by all.”
This could have been better put. However, I agree wholeheartedly with the content of the article and every comment that I’ve just read.
This country always blames weather. It’s a case of right hand doesn’t no what left hand is doing. They employ companies that haven’t a clue how to tarmac roads. They take a leaf out of the German highways.
M74 north bound your car could dissapear down some of the pot holes, sorry did I say pot holes I meant to say sink holes. No wonder some don’t pay road tax.
Roads in my area are gradually getting worse. They are probably the worst I’ve ever seen them to be honest. Everyone is gonna have to start driving 4x4s equipped with big chunky tyres I think…
It’s not all down to the bad weather, the quality of the road repairs have deteriorated over the years, there is a main road near Mansfield that is in the process of being resurfaced and the part that is allegedly finished is not smooth at all, as you drive down it you can feel bumps in the road. If they can’t make a smooth road to start with how can you expect them to last? Also I have noticed a lot of areas where the road is actually sinking as apposed to potholes forming.
After years of under-funding of maintenance and local councils inadequately funded, £100 million is grossly inadequate to restore the road infrastructure to a decent state. Adam Smith, no less, said roads were a government responsibility. The price will be more cycle accidents (pressure on NHS and fewer cyclists) and more costly car repairs.
Potholes now….SINKHOLES IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
My engine mounting fractured and the engine dropped 2″ due to potholes, cushions and sleeping policemen.
We are getting shabby and shoddy service at a very HIGH cost.
Very little full resurfacing seems to be done now just ‘top dressing’ and chippings. With the continuing increase in traffic levels its hardly surprising the roads are breaking up.
Our city is a nightmare for potholes, you know when you have arrived in Birmingham when the suspesion starts banging. The council has employed a major contractor for all their repairs and new works, and they work to a minimum budget. They arrive at a hole, sweep it, spray it with tar solution then just fill it with new tarmac and tamper it. The areas surrounding it remain rough, so to the contractors, it is money for old rope, knowing it will fail soon and create more work. But that is our council for you, cannot organise a drink in a brewery.
Many supposed ‘third world countries’ have much better roads than we do in the UK. Ours are a disgrace & much worse than anywhere else in Europe.
Why the government believe it is ok to blame the weather for our road surface conditions, beggars belief. Why do countries who have far more extremes of weather have much better roads than we do? Anyway, at least my council tax has just gone up 6%, which I’m sure will fix the situation…..
Time to do something about it. Sign the Pothole Petition:-
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/210838