Putin’s invasion hits supply of bitumen needed to fix potholes

Road repairs across UK held up by rising costs as more than half of materials were imported from Russia

POTHOLES are getting worse because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to analysis.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 350 councils in England and Wales, said the rising cost of materials, driven by the conflict, was further delaying long overdue repairs to road surfaces.

The organisation said that many of its members have been hit by a 22 per cent rise in the cost of road maintenance since the war began in February. Before the invasion, 60 per cent of bitumen – a material used to repair UK roads – was imported from Russia.

Councils now have to ration it and purchase it from other markets, pushing up costs and delaying road repairs.

Local authorities were already facing a significant backlog in repairs. Recent estimates suggest that it would take 10 years and £12billion to bring all road surfaces in the UK up to scratch.

On top of the increase in price for materials, spiralling energy costs – made worse by the war in Ukraine – also mean there has been a 38 per cent increase in the bill for running and repairing street lights over the past six months. Some authorities report that their costs in these areas have doubled.

The LGA’S in-depth analysis was based on a survey of members and current prices.

David Renard, transport spokesman for the LGA, said: “As this stark new analysis shows, councils across the country are facing unprecedented increased costs to repair our local roads, keep our street lights switched on and invest in improved local infrastructure.

“Global pressures, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as increasing inflation and a shortage of materials, have all provided the perfect storm for councils and piled pressure on already stretched local budgets.

“To tackle this issue, the new government must cover these increased costs for councils or risk road conditions getting worse or reductions in other services.

“Only with adequate long-term funding – to cover increased cost pressures and invest in local services – and the right powers, can councils deliver for our communities, tackle the climate emergency, and level up all parts of the country.”

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said yesterday: “This analysis shows that alongside households, pubs and other businesses suffering from the dramatic hike in energy prices, local highway authorities are also feeling the pinch, made sharper by the consequences of the war in Ukraine.”

He added: “Patching potholes might pale into insignificance as a problem when compared to the devastation and human misery caused by President Vladimir Putin’s actions but the squeeze on local spending will soon start to feel more real if authorities are going to struggle just to keep street lights on.”

‘The new government must cover these increased costs for councils or risk road conditions getting worse’