IAM RoadSmart responds to AIA Report showing £16.8bn local road backlog repair

Responding to the publication of the AIA Alarm Report (Asphalt Industry Alliance) showing a one-off repair cost of £16.8bn to bring local roads up to an adequate standard, IAM RoadSmart Policy and Standards Director Nicholas Lyes said:

“The AIA’s report lays bare the inadequate repairs happening on our local roads, where despite spending billions on filling potholes, the backlog costs are increasing. Potholes are an expensive headache for drivers but for those on two wheels they pose a serious road safety hazard. Moreover, if drivers are swerving to avoid them, they are risking a collision. While filling a pothole provides temporary respite and a brief improvement in the safety of the road surface, it is essentially a sticking plaster because the section will crumble away under the weight of traffic and from the effects of a cold winter. We need to start properly resurfacing our roads to ensure we’re not throwing good money at bad but most importantly to ensure smooth and safe journeys.”