Cost of Pothole Damage Hits Record High in the UK
Pothole-related vehicle repairs in the UK reached an all-time high, costing £579 million in 2024, prompting calls for better road maintenance.
Potholes, UK, Vehicle Repairs, Road Maintenance, Government Funding
London: The cost of fixing vehicles damaged by potholes has skyrocketed. Last year, it hit a staggering £579 million, according to new data. That’s a big jump from the previous year’s £474 million.
So, what’s causing all this? Well, while the number of pothole incidents dropped slightly, the average repair bill went up. It went from £250 to £300, which is a significant increase.
The AA pointed out that inflation, advanced car tech, and parts shortages are driving these costs up. They’re part of a group called the Pothole Partnership, which recently marked National Pothole Day. They’re pushing local councils to focus on long-term fixes instead of quick patches that don’t last.
In the upcoming financial year, the UK government is set to provide nearly £1.6 billion for local road maintenance, which is a £500 million increase from last year. But there’s a catch: a quarter of that funding will be held back until councils prove they’re using it wisely.
Adam Hug from the Local Government Association is urging the government to rethink this strategy. He believes that more stable funding would help councils plan better and invest in preventative measures to keep roads in good shape.
Fixing all the pothole-ridden roads in England and Wales is estimated to cost around £16.3 billion. AA president Edmund King mentioned that while there’s some progress, potholes are still a major headache for drivers.
Interestingly, the RAC reported a 17% increase in pothole-related breakdowns in the last quarter of the year. They’re worried that the recent bad weather could make things worse.
RAC’s Alice Simpson emphasized the need for local authorities to resurface the worst roads to prevent further damage. She’s hopeful that the government funding will help address these issues.
Roads minister Lilian Greenwood is set to visit a JCB factory to check out a new machine that can fix potholes in just eight minutes. She’s committed to investing £1.6 billion to tackle potholes across England next year.
It’s clear that potholes are a significant problem, and while there’s some movement towards better solutions, there’s still a long way to go.