The Asphalt Industry Alliance today published the 17th Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) Survey. The report has gathered information from 70 per cent of the local authority highways departments across England and Wales.

The survey reveals that a high number of potholes have been filled on their roads by local authorities over the last year: a total of 1.7 million across England and Wales. Based on average costs quoted by survey respondents, the cost of filling that number of potholes equated to £90 million.

The report states that while repair costs have fallen, it will still take more than a decade to clear the backlog and £10bn is still needed to bring roads up to standard.

Alan Mackenzie, AIA chairman said:

"Severe winter weather would not, in itself, produce a plague of potholes on well-maintained roads. These disastrous figures result from decades of underfunding and enforced short-term planning”

John Smart, CIHT said:

“The highway network of roads, footways, bridges, lighting and verges is a highly visible community facility and is a major public asset. It is a dominant place in its own right and must be maintained so that it continues to serve all the communities who depend on it.”

“Everyone relies on or uses the highway daily and it is fundamental to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the community. The whole network is important to different users in different ways and must be effectively maintained to an appropriate standard, providing a safe and efficient level of service.”

“The adequate maintenance and funding of the highway network must be a fundamental part of UK transport policy for the social and economic well-being of the country.”

CIHT has developed a highway maintenance position statement that will be circulated to relevant stakeholders highlighting the vital role that it plays in developing the nation’s economy. A copy of this statement will be available on ciht.org.uk in the next few days.

ENDS

Notes for editors

A copy of the report is available from the AIA here

Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation

CIHT is a membership organisation representing over 12,000 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, CIHT on t: +44 (0) 20 7336 1567 m: 07912122573 e: Daniel.Isichei@ciht.org.uk