In the fiscal year 2022/23, council road maintenance in England witnessed a staggering 45% decline compared to levels seen half a decade ago, as revealed by the most recent data. This shortfall translated into a stark reduction of 3,366 miles receiving any form of improvements, as outlined by the analysis conducted by the RAC on new government data.
Delving deeper into the findings of the RAC's examination of the latest governmental statistics, it becomes apparent that there has been a concerning 37% decrease in the mileage of A roads categorised as 'strengthened, resurfaced, or preserved.' Merely 764 miles underwent improvement efforts, a stark contrast to the 1,222 miles addressed five years ago.
However, the issue lies in the financial burden placed on drivers due to the repercussions of encountering potholes. Data compiled by RAC garages in December 2023 reveals that the cost of repairs stemming from pothole encounters can soar up to £460 per car for anything beyond a mere puncture. This unfortunate reality has contributed to a surge in pothole-related breakdowns among drivers, a trend not witnessed since 2006 – a disheartening revelation for motorists across the nation.
These revelations underscore the inadequacy of the £8.3 billion cash injection allocated over the past 11 years to address the pressing needs of road maintenance.
Recognising the urgent need for action, the RAC has forged a partnership with Metricell to introduce 'Stan,' a cutting-edge mobile application designed to empower drivers to contribute to the improvement of UK roads. Through Stan, users can easily report road issues by capturing videos or photos, which are then uploaded onto the app. Leveraging advanced AI technology, the app identifies the nature of the defect before integrating it into the national road maintenance database accessible via the RAC and Stan websites.