Cost of Repairing Potholes on Local Roads in England and Wales
The estimated cost to repair all potholes on local roads across England and Wales is £18.6 billion, according to a warning from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), the industry body responsible for overseeing road surfacing.
Research conducted by the AIA revealed that only 51% of the local road network maintained by local councils is reported to be in good condition. The report highlighted that roads are resurfaced on average once every 97 years, and nearly one in six local roads—equivalent to more than 32,500 miles—have less than five years of structural life remaining.
Industry Response and Survey Findings
The chairman of the AIA described the situation as a "national disgrace." The alliance's annual report is based on a survey of local authorities conducted between December and February. The survey, completed by 79% of councils, indicated that additional investment aimed at addressing potholes has not resulted in "noticeable improvements."
According to the report, almost two million potholes were filled in the past year. However, local authorities would have required an additional £8 million each last year to maintain their road networks at target levels and prevent further deterioration.
The AIA concluded that bringing local roads up to ideal conditions would cost £18.6 billion and would take approximately 12 years to complete, even if the necessary funding were available. This estimate does not include potholes on motorways and major highways, which are maintained by National Highways in England and by two public sector organizations known as Trunk Road Agents in Wales.
Causes of Potholes and Recent Trends
Potholes form when small cracks in the road surface, typically caused by traffic, allow water to penetrate. When the water freezes, it expands, enlarging the cracks, and subsequent traffic can turn these cracks into holes.
Last month, the AA reported an 18% increase in pothole-related call-outs across the UK in January, with 6,235 incidents recorded in the east of England alone.
"I think all road users would agree that the condition of our local roads has become a national disgrace," said AIA chairman David Giles.
Funding and Government Response
A total of £7.3 billion in funding for local road maintenance has been announced for the next four years, averaging about £1.8 billion per year. Giles noted that while additional funding "is not the silver bullet that will clear the backlog of repairs any time soon," he added that "the dial could be moved quicker" if the extra funding were provided sooner rather than gradually increasing through to 2030.
A Department for Transport spokesman acknowledged the report's findings, stating it "rightly highlights the need to improve our roads" and noted that the government has increased funding to help councils "fix the pothole plague."
"We're already seeing progress, with 15% more pothole-prevention works carried out in 2025 compared to 2024," he added.
