England and Wales’s pothole problems will cost over £18bn to fix

Consumer Editor

4 minute read|18th Mar 2026

A new report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) has revealed the cost of fixing England and Wales’s ongoing road surface and pothole issues.

In its latest release of data, it has shown that local authorities are now looking at a record £18.62 billion backlog of repairs.

Worryingly, the AIA estimates that, at its current state, it would take 12 years to sort.

This is despite a rise in Government funding to tackle the pothole problem.

Additional investment from both central Government and local authorities, totalling a 17% increase in highway maintenance budget was introduced in 2025.

The AIA stated that only 51% of the local road network is reported to be in good structural condition.

The annual report revealed that 16% of local roads have less than five years’ structural life remaining.

David Giles, Chair of the AIA, commented: “There’s no polite way to put it: the condition of our local roads has become a national disgrace.

“Our ageing network has become more fragile and vital resurfacing takes place less frequently – now reportedly only once every 97 years on average.

“Every journey we make relies on local roads; even carrying the utilities to support a thriving, modern society.

“However, it is evident from media coverage bemoaning the state of our roads that their condition remains a key issue for the public. It’s time for the Government to ensure the promised funding is delivered – and fast.”

The RAC’s Pothole Index keeps track of the UK’s state of the roads.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “As drivers testify, decades of underinvestment have left many roads in a woeful state of disrepair - something that’s been even more noticeable since the beginning of the year with our teams receiving hundreds of breakdown reports every day mentioning potholes. 

"We hope new record levels of funding from central Government and a commitment to longer term investment that allow councils to plan highways maintenance will mean we start to turn a corner - although it will be some time before drivers notice a real difference.

"The path to better roads isn’t complicated: ensure water always drains off the roads, fix potholes as permanently as possible, seal roads against water ingress through preventative maintenance, and resurface those that have gone beyond the point of no return."