England’s Road Repairs Slashed by Nearly Half in Five Years
Road maintenance in England has taken a massive hit, plunging 45% in 2022/23 compared to five years ago, reveals a shocking RAC analysis. This steep decline means 3,366 fewer miles got any kind of repair work, sparking serious safety fears.
Major Roads Left to Rot
The figures paint a grim picture for England’s key routes. Just 764 miles of A roads were resurfaced or treated in 2022/23—a 37% drop from 1,222 miles in 2017/18. Minor roads aren’t faring any better. Maintenance on B, C, and unclassified roads plummeted 46%, with only 3,380 miles fixed, down from 6,288 miles five years prior.
Shockingly, just 4% of England’s 17,853 miles of A roads received any surface treatment last year.
RAC Sounds Alarm on Safety and Costs
Simon Williams, RAC’s head of policy, slammed the cuts, stressing the threat to driver safety and road quality. He’s warning motorists face hefty bills—up to £460 per pothole repair—thanks to worsening road conditions.
“We need a smarter, proactive approach with a ‘traffic light’ system to flag roads needing urgent help versus those requiring full resurfacing,” Williams said. He’s also calling for a boost in funding, suggesting some fuel duty revenue be ring-fenced for much-needed road repairs.
New App Puts Power in Drivers’ Hands
To combat the problem, the RAC teamed up with Metricell to roll out Stan, a free mobile app that lets drivers report potholes and defects directly to officials. Using AI technology, Stan maps road issues nationwide, aiming to speed up repairs and make journeys safer.
The RAC warns urgent investment is critical to save England’s road network before it deteriorates beyond repair. Without action, drivers face rising repair bills and unsafe roads for years to come.
