Pitfalls up 17% as £1.6bn repair fund kicks in

Posted: Today 11:24 am

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Figures released by the RAC showed a 17% increase. dent– related failures for the last three months of 2024.

Between October and December, the agency inspected 4,709 vehicles with damaged wheels and suspension components, up 669 from the previous quarter, but there are positives.

“We are calling on local roads authorities to resurface those roads that are in the worst condition and resurface other roads to stop them from deteriorating further,” commented Alice Simpson of the RAC.

“The £1.6bn allocated for pothole repairs (before Christmas) is the biggest single sum ever given to a road repair settlement by councils in England.

“What’s particularly positive is that it comes with guidance on how to use money wisely through preventive maintenance.”

The RAC announced its findings on January 15, which also happened to be National Pothole Day. Roads Minister Lillian Greenwood marked the day with a visit to the JCB factory near Derby.

Here she operated the company’s Pothole Pro machine, which is currently used by 20 local authorities, with the device taking eight minutes to repair at a cost of around £30 a time. “It’s time for a change and we’re investing £1.6bn to fix seven million more potholes on roads across England this year, including more than £75m for the East Midlands Joint Authority,” the minister said.