March 17, 2026
The Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) has today revealed that local authorities in England and Wales now face a record £18.62 billion backlog of carriageway repairs that would take 12 years to clear, despite an increase in funding. This is the key message that comes from this year’s AIA Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey.
The AIA says that additional investment from both central government and local authority’s own sources has led to a 17% increase in average highway maintenance budgets in England and Wales, yet only marginal improvements in conditions have been reported.
Around half (51%) of the local road network is reported to be in good structural condition, with 15 years or more life remaining, up 3% from last year. However, almost one in six (16%) local roads – equivalent to over 32,500 miles – is reported to have less than five years’ structural life remaining.
Highway maintenance budgets in England and Wales for 2025-26 are reported to be an average £30.5 million per authority, with over half of that (54%) spent on the surface and structure of the road.
But local authorities reported to the AIA that the additional amount they would have needed for the last year to maintain the network to their target conditions has continued to rise. It now stands at £1.37 billion, up 10% on last year to an average of £8.1 million per authority, and likely to be compounded by the impacts of one of the wettest winters on record.
In response to the work of the Pothole Partnership and the AIA, the Government has recognised the issue and made funding announcements including £1.6 billion for current financial year and a pledge of £7.3 billion over the next four years. If properly used, with money targeted at permanent repairs, done to the proper standards, with these reflected in repair contacts, plus repairs guaranteed for five years, this funding stands a change of arresting further decline – but backlogs will still remain.
The National Motorcyclists Council’s (NMC) Craig Carey-Clinch said “The Pothole Partnership – a campaign group comprising British Cycling, the NMC, JCB and the AA – feel that the findings of this year’s ALARM report underline the need for all pothole repairs to have longevity. We have been calling for a five-year warranty on all non-emergency pothole repairs. The only noticeable improvements the general public deserves to see are permanent repairs, not more temporary patches. Stipulating a five-year warranty will be the trigger that can make that happen.
“The AIA’s Chair David Giles describes the current condition of local roads as a ‘national disgrace’ and the NMC agrees with this sentiment. But for motorcyclists and cyclists, it’s more than a disgrace, it’s a very real road safety hazard. A pothole that can cause damage to a car can result in serious injury to a rider – or worse.
“The Partnership, plus its supporters, the British Motorcyclists Federation, IAM RoadSmart and TyreSafe, will continue to press for a long-term solution to the scourge of potholes and inadequate roads maintenance ”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. For further information please contact Craig Carey-Clinch on craig@uknmc.org | 07979 757484.
2.The AIA Survey is linked here: https://www.asphaltuk.org/alarm-survey-page/
(Photo: Asphalt Industry Alliance)
