Britain’s Local Roads in Crisis: Anger Hits Nine-Year High
Nearly half of UK drivers (49%) have slammed the poor state of local roads, making it the top motoring gripe in the RAC’s 2023 Report on Motoring—the highest since 2015. Road conditions topped the list ahead of sky-high fuel costs, which concern 42% of drivers.
Older Drivers Hit Hardest as Roads Deteriorate
Drivers aged 45 and over are particularly fed up. More than half (55%) of those aged 45-64 see local road quality as their biggest worry, rising to 59% among the over-65s. The RAC reveals two-thirds (67%) reckon their local roads have worsened in just the past year—a jump from 60% in 2022. Only 4% think things have improved.
Nearly every driver (97%) blames battered road surfaces. Other issues include faded road markings (61%), litter (35%), and poor signage (34%).
Drivers Forced into Dangerous Manoeuvres
The dire state of roads is causing chaos behind the wheel. A shocking 35% admit to swerving suddenly to avoid potholes, sometimes crossing into other lanes or oncoming traffic. Seven in ten (69%) have had to brake sharply to dodge potholes, and 37% keep extra distance from cars ahead to prepare for hidden dangers.
While Britain’s motorways and dual carriageways fare slightly better, frustrations are rising. Eleven percent now rank their condition as a top issue, with 44% saying they’ve worsened in the last year. Problems mirror those on local roads, including worn surfaces and faded markings.
Shoddy Repairs Fuel Public Fury
When roads do get fixed, drivers aren’t impressed. A massive 81% reckon repairs are either low quality or not done often enough. Roadworks are also a major headache: 74% hate seeing the same road dug up repeatedly, and 72% say works regularly overrun schedules.
The funding crisis underpins the mess. The Asphalt Industry Alliance’s latest report reveals councils in England and Wales face a £14 billion repair backlog, up 11% in a year. This chimes with the RAC’s warnings.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams blasted:
“Drivers ask why potholes keep appearing without a harsh winter. The truth is our roads are so fragile from years of underfunding that even a little rain and frost makes them crumble.
“Councils need guaranteed cash to properly maintain and resurface roads—not just patch them up endlessly.
“We urge the Government to ring-fence 2p from every litre of fuel tax for five years to fund this. Currently, the £26bn collected from drivers goes straight into general taxation, which isn’t fair.
“England’s major roads get seven times the money local roads do, despite there being seven times more minor roads. That has to change.
“It’s simply wrong that drivers pour billions into taxes every year but are stuck on roads unfit for purpose.”
