England’s roadways are facing a deepening crisis as new data reveals a stark lack of investment in their upkeep. According to research from the RAC, only a tiny fraction – just three percent – of England’s 183,000 kilometers of local roads received any form of maintenance during the last financial year (2023/24).
This translates to a mere 4,894 miles of council-managed roads undergoing necessary improvements such as strengthening, resurfacing or preservation. While this figure represents an 18 percent increase compared to the 4,144 miles improved in the previous year, the overall picture remains deeply concerning.
The situation is significantly worse when viewed against historical data. In 2017/18, a far more substantial 7,510 miles of roads were maintained – a staggering 35 percent decline over the past few years.
The neglect extends beyond local roads. Only five percent of England’s A-roads received similar attention, accounting for just 817 out of the country’s total 17,860 miles of major routes. Minor roads fared even worse, with only two percent receiving strengthening, resurfacing or “life extending preservation” treatment.
“While there’s been a slight uptick compared to last year, it’s hardly great progress,” stated Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC. “It remains the case that only a sliver of England’s road network is receiving any maintenance whatsoever. Most councils appear trapped in a cycle of simply filling potholes rather than providing proper care for their roads.”
The data highlights a worrying trend: half of England’s 152 local authorities failed to undertake preventative preservation work on major A-roads, contributing to the widespread prevalence of potholes – one of the most common hazards for drivers.
Preventative measures like surface dressing, rejuvenation, and micro surfacing are crucial for avoiding more expensive resurfacing projects down the line. However, these proactive approaches have been largely neglected.
In response to this growing crisis, Labour has pledged a £1.6 billion investment boost for councils aimed at addressing road issues and improving conditions for motorists.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized accountability, stating that funding will be suspended if councils fail to demonstrate that the investment is effectively targeting pothole repairs.
Simon Williams urged local authorities to prioritize long-term solutions over temporary fixes. “We need to move away from trying to save roads that are beyond saving and focus on permanent improvements.” He expressed cautious optimism that increased funding would lead to a noticeable improvement in road surface quality.
“If you invested in most other assets, you would invest in periodic treatments to keep that asset in good condition to achieve optimum performance. An asphalt road should be no different,” stated Mike Hansford, chief executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association.
Hansford emphasized the cost-effectiveness and long-term benefits of preventative maintenance, arguing it keeps roads in better condition for longer, reduces pothole formation, and allows authorities to treat a larger portion of their networks.
- Only three percent of England’s local road network received maintenance in 2023/24.
- In 2017/18, that figure was 35%.
- Half of English councils failed to perform vital preservation work on major A roads.
