Martin Saarinen

Govt Gov has got message on potholes, poth but extra funding is sstill a drop in the ocean

IN Issue 1,515 we revealed how councils are struggling to attract funding and bidding from repair companies to fix and fill the millions of potholes that plague the country’s local roads.

A few weeks later, we highlighted a fresh report from the Asphalt industry Alliance that found the same local roads face a “tidal wave” of deterioration as authorities struggle with a £556million shortfall in funding, with one in eight roads facing closure in a year unless urgent repairs are carried out.

Now, new research has revealed that the same roads have caused councils to pay out £43.3million in compensation to drivers and cyclists for pothole-related damage and injuries over five years.

Research by charity Cycling UK found that local highways agencies compensated 30,893 drivers and 670 cyclists over five years, with authorities forking out on average £841 per driver claim. Seems we now have the cause, effect and result of pothole damage on UK roads nicely laid out thanks to these various studies. The solution should be clear as well: more investment is needed.

And although a 14-year repairs backlog still exists, and it’s estimated to cost £9.3billion, it looks like the Government has got the message.

The Department for Transport has set aside an extra £100million for its £250million Pothole Action Fund to repair roads damaged by the harsh winter months. The money will mean an extra two million potholes will be fixed. While this is a drop in the ocean, it’s refreshing that we’re heading in the right direction.

“A 14-year repairs backlog still exists, and it’s estimated to cost £9.3billion”