Drivers’ anger with the state of native roads has hit a brand new excessive, with greater than a 3rd having to swerve to keep away from a pothole, a survey of motorists has mentioned.
Nearly half (49%) of these surveyed by the RAC mentioned the situation of native roads was their greatest motoring fear, the best proportion recorded for the reason that motoring companies firm began polling drivers in 2015.
Last yr, the extent was 45% and the yr earlier than noticed the earlier excessive of 46%.
More than a 3rd (35%) mentioned they’ve needed to swerve rapidly to keep away from a pothole, inflicting them to cross lanes or drive on to the improper facet of the highway.
Two-thirds of the two,583 UK drivers questioned in March by Online95, mentioned the situation of the native roads they commonly drive had acquired worse within the earlier 12 months.
Drivers pointed to poor surfaces, pale markings, litter and signage visibility amongst their issues.
A little bit over a tenth (11%) mentioned they had been involved in regards to the state of motorways and high-speed twin carriageways, however practically half (44%) mentioned their situation had worsened since 2022.
Up to £14bn is estimated to be wanted to handle the backlog in native highway upkeep in England and Wales, in accordance with the Asphalt Industry Alliance.
Potholes usually type when water enters cracks within the highway floor, then freezes and expands.
RAC head of coverage Simon Williams blamed “a long-term lack of funding for maintenance and repair work”.
Some roads, he mentioned, are in such a fragile state that “it only takes a little rainwater getting into existing flaws followed by some sub-zero temperatures for them to break down further”.
He urged ministers “to ring-fence 2p from every litre of existing fuel revenues over a five-year period, which will give councils the funds they need to be able to plan proper maintenance programmes”.
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“We have to bring the ongoing deterioration of our local roads to an end,” he mentioned.
“It is plain wrong that drivers who contribute billions in tax every year have to put up with roads that are so far from being fit for purpose.”
Darren Rodwell, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, which represents councils in England and Wales, known as for councils to be given “five-yearly funding allocations to give more certainty, bringing councils on a par with National Highways”.
A Department for Transport spokesperson mentioned: “The decision to redirect HS2 funding to other transport projects means that an extra £8.3bn has been freed up to help local authorities fill potholes and resurface roads across the country, which is on top of the near £1bn the government already provides on average every year.
“We are investing a document quantity of funding into tackling potholes and resurfacing roads, which can see freeway upkeep funding to native authorities nearly doubled over the following decade.”
Source: information.sky.com”