UK road repair backlog spiralling

The UK’s road repair backlog is spiralling.
By MJ Woof March 29, 2023 Read time: 1 min
The UK desperately needs to address road wear – image © courtesy of Mike Woof


The UK’s road repair backlog is spiralling after years of neglect. According to data from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), local authority roads in England and Wales require £14.02 billion worth of repairs.

The AIA published these figures following the completion of its Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey. Of concern is that this represents and 11% from last year. Repairing all the roads in need of attention will take an estimated 11 years.

The ALARM survey shows that just 51% of local roads in the UK are in good condition. And 49% of local roads will require significant measures within 15 years unless measures are taken soon. Of concern is that 18% of local roads are expected to require complete reconstruction in less than five years.
 

Maintenance

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • UK’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance – ALARM – survey
    June 16, 2017
    Within years, one in six UK local roads will need repairs or face closure, according to the latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance – ALARM – survey. The cumulative effect of an ageing network, decades of underfunding, increased traffic and wetter winters has led to around 17% of all UK local roads reportedly in poor structural condition, with less than five years of life remaining. The 22nd annual ALARM survey is a comprehensive study into local road maintenance funding and conditions. Local authori
    Read More
  • Gantry design competition for English roads
    December 7, 2022
    National Highways is looking for a more streamlined and elegant appearance for its gantries.
    Read More
  • AIA’s UK ‘crumbling roads’ survey prompts call for greater Government funding
    March 14, 2013
    The annual national survey of UK local road network condition and funding claims there is a crumbling road crisis of increasing concern, prompting renewed calls for increased and longer term Government funding. Commissioned by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), the 18th Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) Survey was completed by 75% of councils across England and Wales and reports that the number of potholes filled over the last year rose to over two million - an increase of 29% on the previou
    Read More
  • FM Conway and TfL set “benchmark” for RAP use in A40 project
    November 30, 2017
    Infrastructure services company FM Conway and the UK’s Transport for London (TfL) have set “a new benchmark” for recycling in the highways industry.
    Read More

Highlighted Content