Call for action over potholes in our roads

Motoring experts are calling for action over the state of local roads.

The RAC used National Pothole Day on Thursday to call for a new financial deal for councils to maintain – saying that, despite a drop in traffic volume caused by the pandemic, it's patrols were still called to nearly 1,500 pothole-related breakdown in the last three months of 2020.

The damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels reveals, represent 0.9% of all RAC attendances – roughly the same as in the previous two years.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “While the actual number of pothole-related call-outs is down significantly due to lower traffic volumes, they account for the same proportion of rescues which clearly demonstrates there are still far too many poorly maintained roads.

“We realise council budgets are under incredible pressure but we badly need the Government to recognise the significance of local roads and take a fresh look at how to fund them."

The RAC says fiveyear funding settlements would allow councils to make longer-term plans for their roads and this could be funded by ringfencing money paid in vehicle excise duty for the upkeep of major roads.

Mr Lyes added: “Putting aside 2p from the existing 58p a litre duty on the sale of petrol and diesel would generate nearly £5bn of additional funds for local roads over five years and would help to bring our local roads back to a fit-forpurpose state.”