Britain’s roads are crumbling at an increasing rate and need much more investment in major and minor spending than has been used or promised, according to the maintenance industry.
This morning’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey of UK roads is in its 25th year, is launched at a time of unprecedented challenges due to the spread of COVID-19, and understandably, the country’s resources will need to be prioritised accordingly.
Looking ahead, ALARM 2020’s findings support the view that a sustainably-funded, well-maintained local road network will need to be part of securing recovery and regrowth.
The press release includes key findings on the report as well as comments from industry bodies: Cycling UK, RAC, Local Government Association, AA, British Cycling and the Institute of Highways.
ALARM 2020 highlights:
- Improving road conditions reported in ALARM 2019 have NOT been sustained with average highway maintenance budgets down by 16% to £20.7 million per authority
- The Government’s £2.5 billion pothole pledge over 5 years is a fraction of the estimated £11.14 billion over 11 years needed to bring local roads up to a level from which they can be maintained cost effectively going forward
- English and Welsh local authorities are reporting a shortfall in carriageway maintenance funding of £826.6 million a year – equivalent to £4.9 million per authority – up 8% on last year
- The number of potholes filled in the last year is almost £1.5 million – equating to one being filled every 21 seconds
- Structural road conditions are getting worse with 7,240 fewer miles of roads in GOOD structural condition and 1,100 more miles of roads with less than 5 years of life remaining than last year.