Government warned over 'time bomb of tatty tarmac'

The UK is sitting on a "time bomb of tatty tarmac", with roads facing further devastation if next winter is harsh, breakdown service Autonational Rescue has warned.

The under-funded "cheap and cheerful" patching up of roads currently undertaken by many local authorities was "wholly inadequate", the company added.

Substantially better central Government support for road repairs was essential, it said.

Autonational's marketing manager Ronan Hart said: "Britain's roads haven't really recovered from the damage done to them by several bad weather spells of recent winters, and dangerous potholes are abound in our towns and cities.

"But because we're still living in times of austerity, many local authorities responsible for maintaining our road infrastructure say they are grossly under-funded and are effectively turning a blind eye to the problem."

He went on: "The roads network is one of the most important assets we have. We must undertake wholesale road repairs now and for the next few years and view it as a job-creating investment in Britain's future."

Autonational pointed to a recent report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance which stated that £10.65 billion was now needed to be spent to bring roads in England and Wales up to scratch.

PA