The Asphalt Industry Alliance has today released it’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) Survey. The report has gathered information from 75% of the local authority highways departments across England and Wales.

The report welcomes the increased investment in the country’s road infrastructure (available from April 2015) and the additional funding made available in recognition of the poor road conditions both generally and following this year’s extreme winter weather.

Equally significant is the reduction in the shortfall in funds for local authority highways departments.

The survey reveals that a high number of potholes have been filled on local authority roads over the last year, over two million across England and Wales. Based on average costs quoted by survey respondents, the cost of filling that number of potholes equated to £106 million. However this is down from an estimated £113 million in 2012.

The survey indicates that increasing numbers of local authorities are now participating in the Highway Maintenance Efficiency Programme (HMEP) to help address the maintenance issue and share best practice.

The survey also highlights that there has been an unexpected increase in the one-off ‘catch-up’ costs. Last year this estimated cost was £10.5 billion but this year it has risen to £12 billion.

Sue Percy, CIHT Chief Executive said: “Certainty of funding allows local authorities to plan more effectively and we are pleased to see that central government has recognised this by increasing the road funding programme from Spring 2015 which will see funding allocated across the next six years.”

“Nevertheless, there is still a significant amount of reactive work taking place each year rather than planned preventative maintenance work which provides much greater long-term value and efficiency gains. This needs addressing and we are encouraged to see an increase in the number of local authorities participating in the Highway Maintenance Efficiency Programme and developing highway asset management plans.

“The highway network is a huge national asset and has a long life expectancy. Its condition and durability are managed in the best and most efficient way by carrying out the right maintenance treatments in the right place and at the right time.”

ENDS

Notes for editors

Click here to view the Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) Survey.

Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation

CIHT is a membership organisation representing over 12,500 people who work in the highways and transportation sector.
CIHT members plan, design, build, operate and maintain best-in-class transport systems and infrastructure, whilst respecting the imperatives of improving safety, ensuring economic competitiveness and minimising environmental impact.

CIHT supports its member’s professional endeavours by:
• offering training, information, professional development and support
• promoting the value added to society by the profession
• being the focused voice to Governments and other decision makers on transportation expertise and knowledge.

For more information please contact:

Daniel Isichei, Director of Communications
e: daniel.isichei@ciht.org.uk  t: +44(0)20 7336 1567 m: 07912 122573 www.ciht.org.uk