UK roads are 'weather-beaten'

UK roads are 'weather-beaten'

Warnings about the usability of local roads in the UK have been voiced by officials, with many saying that without significant restoration and improvements, local roads will useless in 'severe weather'.

In a recent report by the Local Government Association (LGA), we see that around 2.2 million potholes were fixed by local councils in 2012, which is an increase of about half a million potholes from 2011. Small businesses are thought to be paying around £5 billion per year in repairs caused by poor road conditions, with 20% of local roads being designated as 'poor condition'. It is thought that the cost for re-surfacing and repairing additional faults on our road network will cost up to £10.5 billion.

After the many freak weather conditions the UK has experienced in the past few years, the LGA are saying that roads are in such bad condition that any additional weather damage could close many local streets and highways. The floods from a few months back are though to have caused over £1 billion damage to roads alone, not considering the cost to the road user too.

The LGA have also cited the lack of investment in the roads and road infrastructure from the Government over the past decade or so as a massive contributor to the poor state of the highways. They have also written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Treasury to solicit more substantial funding for proper maintenance of the roads in the UK.

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