Britons demand urgent help with road repairs as drivers face £14billion cost in annual vehicle repairs
It is estimated to cost £14billion to fill all potholes in England and Wales
PA
Road safety experts are urging all political parties to add pothole pledges to manifesto commitments ahead of the upcoming General Election.
Drivers have long complained about the need for more funding to help reduce the scourge of potholes on UK roads, with a new organisation tackling the issue head-on.
The Pothole Partnership campaign group has called for a limit on temporary road repairs, as well as extra funding to crack down on potholes and increase repairs.
As part of the call to action, the organisation, which includes the AA, said potholes need to be prioritised, with councils being required to follow UK-wide repair and inspection standards.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
The group has called on politicians to prioritise road repairs
PAPotholes have consistently been named as the most important issue for drivers, with the Government boosting the amount of money given to the Pothole Fund in October 2023.
It was announced that a total of £8.3billion over the next 11 years would be provided to help improve roads across England, although many have said the financial boost is not enough.
The AA has previously highlighted how the damage caused to vehicles as a result of poor road conditions is at a five-year high, costing the economy an estimated £14.4billion per year.
The additional funding from the Government came from the Network North strategy which uses funds from the scrapping of the planned extension of HS2 north of Birmingham.
Edmund King, president of the AA, said politicians needed to understand that all road users are "fed up" with potholes strewn across the country.
He added: "It is costing drivers a fortune but tragically costing lives for those on two wheels.
“Permanently fixing potholes would be one of the most popular political proposals as it affects everyone and the economy.
“It is also the number one concern for 96 per cent of drivers who want permanent solutions rather than a patchwork approach.”
Data from the Department for Transport found that 20 cyclists and 470 were seriously injured in accidents between 2012 and 2022 where poor or defective roads were to blame.
Political parties are expected to unveil their manifesto pledges over the coming weeks, with many urging them to focus on road repairs and potholes.
Caroline Julian, external affairs director at British Cycling, said potholes were one of the most common complaints from Britons about the state of the roads.
She added: "We know from our members that potholes are a longstanding frustration and concern.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The Government has provided more than £8billion in funding over the next 11 years
PA
“They have tragic and fatal consequences that cannot be ignored.
“If we’re serious about fulfilling our ambitions to get more people cycling, we simply must ensure that our roads are safe and comfortable for them to ride on, and not the crater-filled carriageways they currently face.”
You may like
