Advanced pothole repair technology key to road maintenance
The Pothole Partnership has called for greater use of innovation and advanced pothole repair technology to deliver more long-lasting repairs.
The partnership is made up of The AA, British Cycling, JCB and the National Motorcyclists Council.
It has welcomed the £1.6bn government funding for road maintenance in England, but encouraged local authorities to use the funding on long-lasting solutions rather than carrying out quick pothole repairs that won’t stand the test of time.
The government has said it will ensure local authorities are monitoring the effectiveness of pothole repairs, with 25% of the funding being held back until they can prove they are delivering permanent solutions.
The AA revealed that it attended 643,318 pothole-related incidents in 2024, the third highest number recorded. This equates to more than 1,700 drivers a day. Typically, breakdowns are the result of damaged tyres, wheels, steering or suspension.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “There is some light at the end of the pothole tunnel. The government has listened to the Pothole Partnership and is beginning to instigate policies that should lead to longer term fixes rather than the recent patchwork approach.
“The good news is that pothole related car incidents have declined but the bad news is that the cost of repairs has increased. Potholes are still the number one issue for drivers and more needs to be done to build on this improvement.”
