Local authorities need a “fresh approach” to investing in the local road network, Tarmac has said in response to a report revealing that road repair backlogs have reached a record £16.81bn.
The latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) shows the highest backlog figure in 30 years of reporting.
Despite local authorities spending more than £20bn on carriageway maintenance in England and Wales over the last decade, a lack of long-term strategies means that road conditions are still poor.
On average, one pothole has been filled every 18 seconds, every day for the last 10 years.
Almost all (84%) of ALARM respondents think there has been no improvement to their network over the last year, with nearly two-thirds stating that conditions have declined.
AIA said almost 80% of local authorities in England and Wales submitted responses to this year’s survey.
In reaction to the ALARM report, Tarmac’s national technical director, Brian Kent, said the report’s findings present “an opportunity to rethink how we fund and manage our local roads”.
Cycle of short-term fixes
Kent said: “Councils are working hard to keep roads safe, but the survey shows that more than 34,600 miles of road are in poor condition, with less than five years of structural life remaining. Potholes are being filled every [18] seconds, but without a long-term plan, we are stuck in a cycle of short-term fixes rather than meaningful improvements.
“The government’s commitment to fixing more potholes is welcome, but the scale of the challenge requires more than just reactive repairs. By taking a proactive approach – one that provides councils with long-term, predictable funding – we can ensure that funds are spent efficiently, delivering better roads for everyone.
“There is a strong economic case for this shift. The Department for Transport’s own figures show that every £1 invested in local road maintenance generates up to £9.10 in economic return. This is a chance to not only fix our roads, but to boost economic growth, improve road safety, and create a more resilient transport network for the future.”
