Arabic version: تقدير تكلفة إصلاح الحفر في إنجلترا وويلز بـ 18.6 مليار جنيه إسترليني

According to BBC News,

The cost of fixing all the potholes on local roads in England and Wales would be an estimated £18.6bn, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA). The organization warns that only 51% of the local road network maintained by councils is currently in good condition.

The AIA’s annual report, based on a survey of local authorities carried out between December and February, reveals that roads are resurfaced on average every 97 years. Furthermore, nearly one in six local roads, which totals over 32,500 miles, has less than five years’ structural life remaining. The chairman of the AIA described the situation as a “national disgrace”.

Despite nearly two million potholes being filled in the past year, the report indicates that local councils would have needed an additional £8m each last year to maintain their road networks at target levels. The AIA estimates that bringing local roads to ideal conditions would take approximately 12 years, even if the necessary funding could be secured.

The issue of potholes is exacerbated by their formation, which occurs when tiny cracks in the road surface allow water to seep in, freeze, and expand. This leads to larger cracks and eventually holes. The AA noted a significant increase in pothole-related callouts, with an 18% rise in January across the UK.

The government has announced £7.3bn in funding for local road maintenance over the next four years, averaging about £1.8bn per year. However, AIA chairman David Giles emphasized that this funding is not sufficient to clear the backlog of repairs soon. A spokesperson for the Department for Transport acknowledged the need for road improvements and highlighted recent progress in pothole-prevention efforts.