![The UK desperately needs to address road wear – image © courtesy of Mike Woof The UK desperately needs to address road wear – image © courtesy of Mike Woof](/sites/wh/files/styles/slider_main/public/2023-03/pothole3_0.jpg?itok=UBnuhYiM)
The UK’s road repair backlog is spiralling after years of neglect. According to data from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), local authority roads in England and Wales require £14.02 billion worth of repairs.
The AIA published these figures following the completion of its Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey. Of concern is that this represents and 11% from last year. Repairing all the roads in need of attention will take an estimated 11 years.
The ALARM survey shows that just 51% of local roads in the UK are in good condition. And 49% of local roads will require significant measures within 15 years unless measures are taken soon. Of concern is that 18% of local roads are expected to require complete reconstruction in less than five years.