The Government spent 31 times more maintaining motorways and major highways last year than funding councils to repair local roads, local authority leaders say as they call for more funding to fix potholes.
The Local Government Association (LGA) analysis shows the Government spent £192,000 per mile on maintaining strategic roads, such as motorways or major A roads, compared to just £6,000 per mile on fixing potholes on local roads.
The association says it would take almost a decade and £12bn to tackle the backlog for repairs to local roads and is calling for extra funding in the forthcoming budget.
It says councils have faced big increases in costs due to rising inflation and a shortage in material such as bitumen, with latest estimates showing it is costing some councils up to 22% more to repair a pothole.
Analysis by the LGA has found that the Government could help councils fill more than four million extra potholes next year if they provided the £130m needed.
The association is calling on the Government to commit to five-year funding settlements for local road repairs.
LGA transport spokesperson David Renard said: ‘Spending more on improving our motorways whilst neglecting crumbling local roads is counterproductive.
‘Despite the efforts of councils, which repair a pothole every 19 seconds, our local road repair backlog is rising, with latest estimates showing it would take over £12bn and nine years to clear.
‘This coupled with soaring inflation is making it increasingly harder for councils to keep our roads in good condition.
‘The Government should use the Spring Budget to give councils the funding they need to fix potholes and improve road surfaces for everyone that uses them.’
The County Councils Network (CCN) also today warned that councils are planning to axe millions of pounds of road improvements because of rising costs and lack of funds.
