Potholes plaguing British roads exact a heavy toll on the economy, with the total cost surpassing £14 billion annually, according to recent findings.
The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) sheds light on the multifaceted impact of road damage, encompassing repair expenses, traffic accidents, commuter delays, and heightened emissions.
Douglas McWilliams, Deputy Chairman of CEBR, underscores the alarming deterioration of British roads, likening conditions to those observed in emerging economies like India. He attributes this trend primarily to decreased investments in road maintenance, lamenting the adverse effects on infrastructure quality.
Last year, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a £200 million injection into the pothole repair fund, raising its annual allocation to £700 million. However, doubts persist regarding the full utilization of these funds for pothole remediation, as highway authorities retain discretion over spending priorities.
The total cost to rectify existing potholes, estimated at £16.3 billion, underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. McWilliams emphasizes the feasibility of rebuilding every road in the country within 14 months using these funds, highlighting the stark disparity between cost-effective solutions and policy decisions.
Despite the rising economic burden of potholes, spending on road maintenance by English local councils has declined by over 20% since 2006, exacerbating the prevalence of road defects. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the use of substandard fillers by private contractors exacerbates the problem, necessitating repeat repairs and inflating costs.
The economic repercussions extend beyond repair expenses, with pothole-induced reductions in car speeds amplifying carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 3%. The breakdown service RAC reports a surge in callouts for pothole-related damage, indicating a worsening road infrastructure crisis.
As the current cold snap and increased rainfall exacerbate road damage, motorists face heightened risks of vehicle damage and accidents. Potholes inflicted car damage worth £1.5 billion last year, with local authorities in England paying £23 million in compensation for pothole-related incidents.
The cumulative impact of potholes on the economy includes 1.3 billion hours of additional travel time, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address road infrastructure challenges and safeguard public safety and economic stability.
