The escalating costs of mending potholes in the UK - and the subsequent damage they inflict on British vehicles - is a growing concern. With the government setting aside an unprecedented amount of funds to address deteriorating road surfaces, and vehicle repair costs on the rise, this intervention couldn't be more timely.
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Potholes are infamous for wreaking havoc such as damaging shock absorbers, snapping suspension springs and warping wheels. These nuisances can form when water beneath the road surface freezes, thaws and evaporates, creating sub-surface cavities that crumble and cave in under the weight of passing vehicles.
The projected cost to mend all local roads in England and Wales blighted by potholes is a staggering £16.3 billion. Government funding allocated for local road maintenance in England for the 2025/26 fiscal year will approach nearly £1.6 billion, marking a £500 million increase from the preceding year.
The AA disclosed that the total expenditure on repairing vehicles it serviced due to poor road conditions in 2024 amounted to a whopping £579 million. This figure represents a significant leap from the £474 million spent during the previous year and sets a new record high.
Despite fewer incidents, the spiralling cost of car repairs continues to take a toll on motorists' wallets.
As part of the Pothole Partnership campaign, the AA marked National Pothole Day by calling on councils to focus on lasting repairs and resurfacing rather than quick fixes. The Department for Transport has vowed to ensure local authorities use funds effectively and take a proactive approach to preventing potholes.
However, a quarter of the additional funding will be held back until authorities prove they're using it wisely. Adam Hug, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, urged the Government to reconsider, giving councils the certainty they need.
He said: "Greater and sustainable long-term funding will enable councils to far more effectively plan for and invest in preventative treatments, which keep surfaces in better condition for longer."
"The upcoming spending review provides an opportunity to give councils greater, longer-term funding certainty, so they can help make our local roads more resilient to severe weather, boost inclusive economic growth and prevent potholes which are more expensive to repair than preventative measures."
AA president Edmund King commented: "There is some light at the end of the pothole tunnel."
"The Government has listened to the Pothole Partnership and is beginning to instigate policies that should lead to longer term fixes rather than the recent patchwork approach. The good news is that pothole related car incidents have declined but the bad news is that the cost of repairs has increased."
"Potholes are still the number one issue for drivers and more needs to be done to build on this improvement."
Have your say! Where are the worst roads for potholes in Cornwall? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
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