Statement on AIA ALARM road maintenance report

Commenting on the findings of the latest annual ALARM report from the Asphalt Industry AssociationRAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said:

“This latest report clearly highlights that the shortfall between what councils need to fix the roads, and the cash they actually have at their disposal, is as enormous as ever.

“It’s time for some fresh thinking when it comes to finally getting on top of Britain’s pothole problem. Short term funding and creating pots by which local authorities can bid for cash doesn’t appear to be addressing the root cause of the problem. Instead, the Government should be looking at how it can guarantee councils the certainty of reliable long-term funding so that they can finally bring every road up to a standard road users think is acceptable.

“In just two years’ time, motorways and major roads will enjoy ring-fenced funding from Vehicle Excise Duty receipts. If just a fraction of existing fuel duty revenue was ring-fenced specifically for local roads, over just a few years enough could be raised to allow councils to make proper, lasting repairs that are fit for the 21st century. As things stand, all road users are faced with the prospect of road surfaces falling into an even worse state making for increasingly uncomfortable, expensive and, in some cases, downright dangerous journeys.

“The recent bad weather will only have made matters worse. Before the cold snap, the condition of many local roads was on a knife edge and we now expect a number of these to deteriorate still further as we move into the Spring.”

Press office team

Press office team

For journalist enquiries only

Share

Latest stories

Website preview
RAC and RSTA call on Government to mandate preventative road maintenance training 
The RAC and the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) have today written to the Government calling on it to introduce mandatory training for councils who carry out little or no maintenance to prevent potholes forming.
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
Fuel prices fall in August after two months of rises - but drivers continue to pay over the odds at the pumps
Average pump prices fell by less than a penny in August ending two months of rises, new analysis by RAC Fuel Watch has found.
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
Drivers divided on how to tackle pavement parking in England – but most want action
UK Government due to announce next steps on tackling problem pavement parking in England
media.rac.co.uk

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About RAC Media Centre

The RAC Media Centre provides journalists and news outlets with the latest motoring-related news, comment, data and research.

The RAC is an iconic UK brand, and provides complete peace of mind to 15 million UK private and business drivers - whatever their motoring needs. As well as its premium nationwide breakdown assistance service – with an expert branded patrol workforce attending more than two million breakdowns every year – and European breakdown assistance products, it offers a wide range of market-leading products across insurance, legal services, vehicle inspections and service, maintenance and repair. Included in this is the first-of-its-kind nationwide Mobile Mechanics service which brings the garage to homes and workplaces. 

At the forefront of new solutions for business fleets and consumers, the RAC’s breakdown service is electric-ready with mobile EV charging technology and be called on using myRAC – its all-in-one route planner, fuel finder and breakdown reporting app

Contact

press.office@rac.co.uk

media.rac.co.uk