10 June 2024
All political parties are today (10) being urged to put potholes high on their manifesto commitments by the Pothole Partnership.
The partnership is telling politicians that permanently fixing the potholes will be one of their most popular polices with voters. Some 96% of drivers rated potholes as the most important transport issue in an AA poll.
The partnership also warns that pothole damage is affecting the economy with damage to vehicles hitting a five-year high.
It has been estimated that the pothole crisis is costing the economy of England alone at least £14.4bn per year.*
The research dossier shows that the AA dealt with 631,852 pothole related incidents in 2023, the highest for five years.
Five-point plan
The Pothole Partnership has unveiled a five-point political plan to help tackle the issue. The coalition represents the interests of drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, and road repairers. The Partnership’s Pothole pledge is being sent to the main political parties today.
The Pothole Partnership has been formed by The AA, the National Motorcyclists Council, British Cycling and manufacturer JCB. The partnership is also supported by the British Motorcyclists Federation, IAM RoadSmart and TyreSafe.
Last year pothole damage to vehicles cost a staggering £474,000,000.
Cycling casualties
A campaign on potholes by Cycling Weekly in 2023 found that 118 bike riders were killed or seriously injured due to a defective road surface between 2017 and 2021, with six tragically losing their lives. Despite an increase in funding committed by the government, it is estimated that the total cost of fixing all current defects could be as high as £14 billion.
“Politicians please note that all road users are fed up with potholes. It is costing drivers a fortune but tragically costing lives for those on two wheels.”
During the General Election campaign, today’s Pothole Partnership call sits alongside broader work by the Partnership to ensure that the interests of members and businesses are heard, understood, and represented by parties and candidates ahead of polling day on July 4 2024.
Edmund King, AA President, said: “Politicians please note that all road users are fed up with potholes. It is costing drivers a fortune but tragically costing lives for those on two wheels. Permanently fixing potholes would be one of the most popular political proposals as it affects everyone and the economy. It is also the number one concern for 96% of drivers who want permanent solutions rather than a patchwork approach.”
Craig Carey-Clinch, Executive Director, National Motorcyclists Council, said: “The situation is becoming ever more acute for motorcyclists. Potholes and other road surface related defects are already shown to be extremely dangerous for motorcycle riders. The same pothole that damages a car, could prove fatal to a rider. Action is needed now to urgently clear the backlog of repairs. The NMC fully supports the Pothole Partnership and urges the post-election administration to put this issue from and centre and to carry forward and front load the £8.3billion that was previously announced. The problem is now, not in seven or nine years time.”
Caroline Julian, External Affairs Director, British Cycling, said: “We know from our members that potholes are a longstanding frustration and concern. They have tragic and fatal consequences that cannot be ignored. If we’re serious about fulfilling our ambitions to get more people cycling, we simply must ensure that our roads are safe and comfortable for them to ride on, and not the crater-filled carriageways they currently face.”
Ben Rawding, General Manager, JCB, said: “As we approach the election, JCB is delighted to be part of the Pothole Partnership, a group committed to fixing Britain’s roads. Tackling the national backlog of potholes properly will involve investment in innovation and new technologies to ensure permanent fixes, not temporary repairs. Britain’s motorists, motorcyclists and cyclists deserve nothing less.”
The JCB Pothole Pro
The award-winning JCB Pothole Pro is a unique 3 in 1 solution specifically designed to sort out any pothole repair or large reinstatement operation, efficiently, economically, and permanently. Because it comes equipped with 3 dedicated tools to cut, crop and clean, there’s no need for additional specialist equipment or extra manpower, saving both time and money. It can repair a typical pothole in just 8 minutes and provides a permanent fix.
Our Pothole Pledge
Permanent: Local authorities to limit the practice of temporary pothole repairs or patches and, where possible, every pothole or patch to be repaired permanently.
Precise: All local authorities / contractors to adhere to UK-wide repair and inspection standards, and report annually on the repairs undertaken.
Price: Government to demonstrate greater urgency by accelerating and increasing spending of the £8.3bn pothole funding for England in the first three years – with total clarity on the distribution to local authorities.
Provision: Central and local government to guarantee ringfencing of ALL road maintenance funding to help deliver innovations that enable permanent repairs.
Progress: Full transparency from local authorities on their roads repair backlog, categorised by potholes, patching works and road resurfacing.
The Partnership welcomed extra funding for maintenance including the £8.3bn from HS2 but wants it ring-fenced and expenditure increased in the early years and used more effectively. It is often a false economy to just patch potholes when that stretch of road needs resurfacing. New technology in the shape of the JCB Pothole Pro can not only speed up repairs, but also make them last longer.
A survey of more than 11,000 AA members found that the top transport issue for 96% of drivers was Increased investment in repairing and upgrading the roads (i.e., fixing potholes).** Whilst potholes can be a very expensive inconvenience for those on four wheels, it can be life-changing and even fatal for those on two wheels.
AA estimated repair costs:
Tyre - £100Alloy - £300
Realignment - £150
ADAS (sensor) recalibration - £150
The average cost is £250
£250 x 631,852 AA incidents equals 157,963,000 (rounded to 158m x 3 to represent all drivers) equals £474m
** AA Yonder on-line poll from October 6-10, 2023, of 11,678 drivers.