Britain’s roads have suffered a setback this summer as extreme heat contributed to a rise in vehicle damage from deteriorating surfaces.
The AA reported 50,091 breakdown calls across the UK during July linked to poor road conditions, marking a 2.1 per cent increase from the previous year.
The UK’s pothole crisis is being worsened by warm temperatures
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GETTY/GB NEWS
The heat has accelerated the deterioration of already compromised road surfaces while making worn tyres more prone to damage.
Rural routes, which often receive less maintenance attention, have seen increased traffic from summer tourists, compounding the problem.
Vehicles encountering these degraded surfaces frequently sustain serious mechanical damage. Shock absorbers bear the brunt of impacts, while suspension springs can snap under the strain and wheels often become warped or misshapen
The Prime Minister has acknowledged the severity of the issue, stating that damaged roads “can risk lives and cost families hundreds if not thousands of pounds on repairs”.
Experts are calling for repairs to be made on routes popular with cyclists and pedestrians
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PA
To deal with the issue, Sir Keir Starmer has urged local authorities to “get on with the job” of addressing the deterioration.
Current estimates suggest bringing England and Wales’s local road network to acceptable standards would require £16.8billion in investment.
Edmund King, the AA’s president, warned that “this summer’s heatwave has starkly exposed the fragility of Britain’s roads”.
He emphasised that despite some progress from investment and repair initiatives, the recent deterioration demonstrates that “much more must be done to create a safe and reliable road network for everyone”.
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The AA executive called on the Government and councils to “redouble their efforts in tackling the pothole crisis”, with particular focus on rural roads and routes popular with cyclists and motorcyclists.
Ben Rawding from JCB, which partners with the AA in the Pothole Partnership campaign, described the breakdown statistics as evidence that the road network remains “vulnerable”, particularly when subjected to extreme weather.
He stressed that whilst funding remains important, “it’s innovation that enables us to do more with the resources already available”.
Rawding argued that abandoning “short-term fixes” would be crucial for achieving “meaningful and lasting progress”.
Estimates suggest it would cost almost £17billion to fill in potholes across the UK
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PAA Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We are committed to tackling the poor state of our roads, which is why the Government is investing £24billion for motorways and local roads across England – delivering faster, safer and more reliable journeys.”
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association added that councils take their responsibilities seriously, especially when looking after roads and highways.
They added: “As changing weather patterns impact roads, local government seeks to innovate and find new ways to respond to the issue.
“Greater long-term funding certainty, with local roads receiving a fairer share of the £24billion roads fund over the next five years, will enable councils to invest in more preventative treatments.”
