“Some light at the end of the rough road.”
On National Pothole Day (15 January), the Pothole Partnership is advocating for more permanent repairs and increased use of innovation and technology to minimize vehicle damage and prevent injuries to cyclists and motorcycle riders.
The statistics
A year after its launch, The Pothole Partnership—which includes The AA, British Cycling, JCB, the National Motorcyclists Council, and other supporting organizations—has welcomed the Government’s commitment of £1.6bn for local road maintenance in England.
However, it is urging local authorities to raise their standards to match the best by investing in advanced technology and adopting more proactive repair strategies.
As a member of The Pothole Partnership, The AA has reported a decline in pothole-related incidents in 2024 compared to the previous year. The breakdown provider attended 643,318 pothole-related incidents in 2024, down from 647,690 in 2023, with typical issues including damage to tyres, wheels, steering, and suspension.
Although last year took the “bronze medal” for one of the worst years for potholes, the Pothole Partnership is hopeful that the £1.6 billion allocated to local councils in England will help push 2025 closer to the bottom of the rankings.
With over 1,700 drivers experiencing vehicle damage daily due to road defects, the partnership is calling on local authorities to focus on permanent resurfacing and long-term repairs rather than the “patch and run” approach used in previous years.
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A light at the end of the road
Edmund King, AA president, said: “There is some light at the end of the pothole tunnel. The Government has taken note of the Pothole Partnership’s concerns and is starting to implement policies aimed at long-term solutions rather than the short-term patchwork fixes of recent years.
“The good news is that pothole-related car incidents have decreased, but the bad news is that repair costs have risen. Potholes remain the top concern for drivers, and further action is needed to build on this progress.”
The Pothole Partnership welcomes the Government’s recent announcement of additional funding to repair local roads in England, particularly the decision to withhold 25% of the funds until local authorities demonstrate a commitment to proactive maintenance and move away from inefficient patchwork repairs.
The announcement stated: “The Government is also ensuring that authorities use the funding wisely, collect accurate data, and prioritize proactive maintenance to prevent potholes from forming. This funding includes built-in incentives, with 25% of the uplift held back until authorities can show they are delivering on these goals.”
