The Department for Transport said last week it had launched an audit into the mapping of potholes in England, aided by data from vehicle fleet based businesses including Uber, Deliveroo and supermarket delivery services.

Working with these companies, local authorities and highways data and mapping firm Gaist, the Department says it will be able to paint “the most comprehensive picture ever” of where funding is most needed to make sure roads are not stricken by potholes.

But the Road Surface Treatment Association’s chief executive Paul Boss – while welcoming the audit plans – said: “A map telling where the potholes are will be of little use if local authorities do not have the funds to fix them.

“The proposed audit is reactive,” he added. “While we have to fill potholes in the short term, local authorities need certainty of long term funding to ensure they can plan and programme road maintenance that will prevent potholes from forming in the first place.”
Asphalt Industry Alliance chair Rick Green said: “The Government’s announcement to carry out a road audit to map the location of the country’s potholes will certainly highlight the scale of the problem.

However he added that “identifying millions of potholes” is not the most pressing concern. “The issue is long term underfunding and the resulting £11Bn road repairs backlog in England and Wales,” he said. “Properly funding authorities to maintain local roads would help stop potholes forming in the first place and should be the priority.”

Government committed £2.5Bn in funding for pothole repairs at the latest budget and since 2010 says it has provided over £1.2Bn solely to help fix potholes on the local road network. It adds that highway maintenance works undertaken during England’s Covid-19 lockdown period have led to 319 miles of resurfacing.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “I want our roads to be as safe as possible, so during the lockdown we’ve resurfaced hundreds of miles of road. But now I want to go further by identifying critical potholes and ensuring these are fixed as quickly as possible.

“We’re teaming up with delivery companies, who know the roads well, in order to map out where remaining potholes exist and then relentlessly target them with our record £2.5Bn pothole repair fund.”

He added: “Better road surfaces benefit motorists and cyclists alike ensuring the back to school and work environment is safer for everyone.”

(Photograph: Asphalt Industry Alliance)