Pothole Repair Backlog Hits Record £18.6bn in England and Wales
The battle against potholes has reached a critical juncture, with the backlog of repairs across England and Wales soaring to a record £18.6bn, according to an annual industry estimate. This staggering figure comes despite local councils filling in approximately 1.9 million holes last year, highlighting a deepening crisis in road maintenance.
Wet Winter Exacerbates 'National Disgrace'
The poor condition of many local roads, described as a 'national disgrace,' has been significantly worsened by a notably wet winter. Only half of the road network is now reported to be in good condition, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), which published the report. The impact of frequent adverse weather events on an underfunded and increasingly fragile network is becoming painfully apparent.
David Giles, chair of the AIA, stated, 'I think all road users would agree that the condition of our local roads has become a national disgrace.' He emphasized that reports over the past decade show the money needed for full repairs has increased dramatically, and it will be some time before any increased funding levels are noticed by the public.
Industry Leaders Voice Concerns
Edmund King, president of the AA, warned that the report 'starkly warns us how much more needs to be done to eradicate this plague of potholes.' He noted that record wet weather linked to substandard roads has turned many local routes into patchwork obstacle courses.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, added that roads are 'in a woeful state of disrepair,' with teams receiving hundreds of breakdown reports daily mentioning potholes since the beginning of the year.
Nicholas Lyes, director of policy at the safety charity IAM RoadSmart, highlighted that about one in six local roads are effectively on life support, with less than five years of structural integrity remaining. He called for a long-term approach investing in proper surface maintenance, rather than temporary 'patch and dash' repairs that crumble in bad weather.
Government Response and Funding
A Department for Transport spokesperson acknowledged the report, stating it 'rightly highlights the need to improve our roads.' They pointed to a record £7.3bn in long-term funding allocated to help councils resurface roads and address the pothole plague, after years of underinvestment.
Signs of progress include a 15% increase in pothole-prevention works in 2025 compared to 2024, along with a new ratings system to monitor spending. The spokesperson added that councils will be held accountable to ensure this money is used for planning ahead and delivering safer, smoother journeys.
Broader Impacts and Costs
The estimated cost of a one-off repair of all potholes has risen by £1.8bn since 2025, despite additional government allocations. Spring often reveals potholes in full bloom, as rain enters cracks in road surfaces during winter, freezes, expands, and creates bigger cracks.
A separate survey by KwikFit found that the cost of pothole damage to UK drivers has peaked at a record £1.8bn over the past 12 months. Additionally, the poor road conditions have prompted 2.5 million drivers to purchase larger cars or SUVs, which, while more able to cope with bumps, may intensify damage to road surfaces.
This crisis underscores the urgent need for sustained investment and strategic planning to tackle the deteriorating state of local roads across England and Wales.
