The cost of vehicle damage caused by potholes reached a staggering £474 million in the past year, as revealed in new figures released on National Pothole Day, January 15.
According to the AA, there were 631,852 pothole-related incidents in 2023, the highest in five years. Instances of tire, wheel, steering, and suspension damage due to poor road conditions increased by 16% compared to the previous year, reaching 62,000 incidents in the last month alone—an uptick of 15% from December 2022.
RAC patrols attended nearly 30,000 pothole-related breakdowns, marking a 33% increase from 2022. This included 80 breakdowns daily, featuring issues like broken suspension springs, damaged shock absorbers, and distorted wheels.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the RAC responded to 5,153 breakdowns caused by potholes, the highest for any October to December period since 2017.
Simon Williams, RAC’s head of roads policy, highlighted the financial challenges faced by local councils, resulting in inadequate road maintenance budgets.
Williams expressed optimism about the government’s commitment of an additional £8.3 billion for local councils over the next 11 years. However, he urged the Department for Transport (DfT) to provide clear guidance on how these funds should be utilized for long-term road maintenance.
To address the issue during winter months, the RAC suggested resurfacing roads in the worst condition and implementing more surface dressing between April and September.
A new partnership called the Pothole Partnership, formed by organizations such as the AA, the National Motorcyclists Council, British Cycling, IAM RoadSmart, the British Motorcyclists Federation, and manufacturer JCB, unveiled a five-point plan to combat potholes.
The plan calls for permanent repairs, adherence to UK-wide repair and inspection standards, annual reporting on repairs, and increased urgency and transparency in the distribution of the £8.3 billion pothole funding.
AA president Edmund King emphasized the need for permanent repairs over temporary fixes, citing potholes as a major concern for 96% of drivers. The Pothole Partnership aims to exert pressure for lasting solutions to prevent the recurring cycle of pothole formation, damage, and temporary patches, with the ultimate goal of ensuring road safety for all drivers and two-wheel users.
