North West and South East worst for potholes

Residential roads have been rated as being in a terrible condition by more than half (53%) of drivers in the North West and South East, according to a survey by the AA.

More than 12,000 drivers were asked to rate the condition of local road surfaces where they lived.

Drivers in Eastern England completed the top three regions with poor roads, with 51% claiming residential roads were terrible.

Meanwhile, London was deemed to have the best kept residential streets in England (42%).

Half of Scottish drivers (50%) said their roads were poor, with two fifths (41%) of Welsh streets considered terrible and 37% of local roads in Northern Ireland.

With local authorities up and down the country setting their budgets for the coming financial year, the AA is concerned that councils could decide to cut back on road maintenance spending to balance the books elsewhere.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “Step out your front door and you won’t have to travel too far to find a pothole. Years of underinvestment in the nation’s roads means we are seeing more potholes develop than ever before.

“While the North West and South East top the charts this time, most communities will say the main roads are usually in pretty good shape but the minor and residential roads are where the potholes create a menace (reflected in official road repair expenditure statistics).”

He continued: “It’s not just road surfaces that need upgrading. Worn road markings, damaged signs, streetlights no longer working, and overgrown hedgerow covering signs are all too common on UK roads.

“Sadly, this all points towards a lack of funding or ring-fencing by both central and local government. With tighter budgets planned, roads maintenance could be cut in favour other projects. Safe and maintained streets are vital for everyone regardless of how they use the roads, and we desperately need to see a massive cash-injection to upgrade local roads.

“Until that happens, UK roads will continue to crumble and crack into catastrophe.”

On rainy days since November, AA Patrols called to, on average, an additional 225 breakdowns each day as a result of drivers hitting holes in the road surface often obscured by puddles.

The main pot-hole breakdowns are punctures, wheel damage and suspension faults. Rain-obscured potholes can also prove extremely dangerous and indeed fatal for cyclists and motorcyclists.