UK roads named worst in Europe with 'ridiculous' plague of potholes to blame
Drivers believe potholes are one of the biggest issues with UK roads.
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A new study has found that almost three-quarters of motorists (72 per cent) said issues with potholes are far worse in the UK than they are in other countries.
It is estimated that UK roads have between 1.2 and 1.5 million potholes, with drivers likely seeing the road faults every day.
The RAC data revealed that only eight per cent of motorists said they believed UK roads were better than those on the continent.
Across a range of road quality factors, the UK fared best for only one category – namely having the most clear and understandable traffic signs.
The Government has pledged £200million to fill millions of potholes.
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Between June 2022 and 2023, the RAC dealt with 27,250 breakdowns where vehicles had been damaged by a pothole, a 20 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Drivers are now also 1.6 times more likely to break down as a result of a pothole than they were 17 years ago – a damning indication of the state of Britain’s roads.
Rod Dennis, spokesperson for RAC Europe, said the research was “utterly damning”, saying European roads were “pristine ribbons of asphalt”.
He added: “We’ve said for years that given the amount drivers pay in tax, it’s verging on the ridiculous that they have to endure no end of potholes when driving at home.
“It’s clear from what drivers have told us they seem to forget all about potholes once they’ve left the UK, with unanimous agreement that foreign roads are simply better.”
In the Spring Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled a massive £200million boost for local authorities to repair potholes and improve roads.
The 2021 Spending Review also committed over £2.7billion for highway maintenance outside of London and the eight largest city regions.
The Government hoped that the additional funding would fix the equivalent of up to four million potholes around the UK.
Mr Dennis lamented the problem of potholes in the UK but insisted that it was not just potholes causing a problem for the perception of British roads.
He continued, saying: “Drivers tell us there is far less roadside litter abroad, and the visibility of painted road markings and traffic congestion – both in urban areas and on motorways – are both much better elsewhere in Europe.
“It’s perhaps little wonder then that around half of all the drivers we surveyed (48 per cent) have enjoyed driving abroad in the past, whether in their own car or one rented in the country where they were staying.”
Other problems on UK roads include speeding and congestion on motorways, roadside litter, and overall experience of driving.
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Only eight per cent of motorists said they believed UK roads were better than those in Europe.
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According to the research, around a quarter of motorists expect to have taken their own vehicle abroad by the end of this year.