Millions of holes, no cash in the pot

Date published: 02/04/2008

Local authorities across Britain are losing the battle against holes in the road, a new survey reveals, and more money is needed to repair them.

Drivers are having to contend with more than three million holes.

While roads suffer from around one million potholes, there are a further 2.5 million road openings made during streetworks by utility companies, a report by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) found.

The alliance's report also said there was a shortfall of more than £1 billion in highway maintenance budgets and an 11–year backlog of maintenance work.

Some roads faced a 65–year wait for resurfacing, while local authorities estimated they were receiving only half the budget they needed to keep their roads in reasonable condition.

Jim Crick, chairman of the Asphalt Industry Alliance said: “After years of reporting a bleak picture I would like to be making a positive statement about an improving situation.

“Despite some increase in central government funding over recent years it seems that highways maintenance is still suffering from historically being treated as the Cinderella service.”

Ken Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: “Roads should not be obstacle courses. Good road surfaces are an essential part of the highway safety system.”