Fixing all potholes in England and Wales would take 12 years
Labour promised to ‘fix an additional one million potholes across England in each year of the next parliament (PA Wire)
Fixing all potholes in England and Wales would cost £16.8 billion and take 12 years to complete, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA).
The AIA's research reveals that one in six miles of local roads has less than five years of life remaining, with roads only resurfaced on average every 93 years.
The research found 1.9 million potholes were filled in the 2024-25 financial year, costing £137.4 million.
The AIA calls for a shift towards proactive road maintenance, including five-year funding cycles, while critics label current efforts a "dismal" approach to the "pothole plague."
Despite a £500 million increase in local roads maintenance funding for 2025-26, concerns remain about long-term funding to address the backlog.