Nearly one in five local UK roads faces closure due to potholes ~ station of gear

A new study warns that councils have little time before a fifth of local roads deteriorate beyond repair

2017-03-29 16:50

Nearly a fifth of all local roads are so damaged by potholes that they could be closed down in the next few years if they remain unrepaired, a new study has found.

Researchers for the Asphalt Industry Alliance warned that 17 per cent of local roads in England and Wales are currently in “poor” condition – the worst category possible. The association says the roads have less than five years of life remaining before they will no longer be safe to drive on.

The study found that potholes represent the biggest problem for councils. But despite a 10 per cent increase in local road budgets, the study found a 19 per cent reduction in the average number of potholes filled per local authority. In some areas, like London, the number fell by 44 per cent compared to the previous year.

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Last year councils spent £102 million to fill over 1.7 million potholes, with the average cost of filling a single pothole estimated at £49. But £102 million is just scratching the surface, as the study concluded councils in England and Wales face a £12 billion collective repair bill for potholes. Even with the required funding in place, it says it would take over a decade to bring the roads up to scratch.

Alan Mackenzie, Chairman of the Asphalt Industry Alliance said: “Our local roads are an asset worth in excess of £400 billion but, at present, less than one per cent of their value is being spent annually on maintenance.

“Looking ahead, governance, regionalisation, skills and technology are all issues that could have profound consequences for the future of the network. The message is clear: our local roads are failing and it’s time we had a rethink about how to adequately fund them in the future.”

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Martin Saarinen

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