Ellie Ames 20 October 2023

Concern over state of roads hits record high

Concern over state of roads hits record high image
Image: Gulpa / Shutterstock.com

Half of drivers say the state of local roads is their top motoring concern – a record high since the RAC began asking for motorists' views on road conditions.

The organisation’s annual Report on Motoring also revealed that two-thirds of drivers (67%) believe the condition of their local roads has deteriorated in the past year, up from 60% in the 2022 report.

Almost all motorists (97%) said road surfaces were to blame, but faded road markings, litter and poor signage visibility were also cited as contributing to the decline.

More than a third of drivers reported having to swerve quickly to avoid a pothole.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said councils needed funding certainty to plan maintenance programmes in order to resurface roads that are beyond the point where they can be ‘patched up’.

Local government association transport spokesperson Darren Rodwell said the Government should bring councils ‘on a par with National Highways’ and award local authority highways departments five-yearly funding allocations.

Cllr Rodwell added: ‘In the upcoming Autumn Statement, we look forward to seeing more details on the recent £8.3 billion funding plan for roads maintenance.’

If this article was of interest, then check out our feature, 'The great pothole repair failure'.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Finance Administrator

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Finance AdministratorPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Customer Services Adviser (Housing Repairs

Mansfield District Council
£28,598 - £33,699 per annum
Mansfield is a town of towns at the centre of things in Nottinghamshire - a place of many strong connections Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

No Wrong Door Deputy Manager

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata
We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and dynamic professional to join our management team within our innovative No Wrong Door (NWD) service. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Resource Centre Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434 - £38,220 per annum pro rata
You will work closely with families and other professionals to ensure that you have sound knowledge of the children you are caring for Morton on Swale, Northallerton
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum, pro rata
Our Family Assessment and Support Teams you will work with a range of children and their families, carers and networks. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner