Poor roads put drivers ‘at risk’

Motorists are in danger because of under-funding of the nation’s roads, according to a survey by local authorities across England and Wales.

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Motorists are in danger because of under-funding of the nation’s roads, according to a survey by local authorities across England and Wales.

The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance Survey found that English authorities receive only 40% of the budget they need to spend on local road maintenance, while Welsh authorities struggle to get by on 28%.

According to the survey, roads in England are only re-surfaced every 51 years on average, with London roads resurfaced every 23 years. Welsh roads are resurfaced only every 61 years. The recommended maximum period between resurfacing roads is 10-20 years on average.

In the past 10 years, the number of motorists claiming for damage caused to their cars by poor roads has increased by 60% in England and 187% in Wales.

The RAC Foundation has called on the Government to commit more cash to address the problems. Executive director Edmund King said: ‘Motorists contribute £42 billion to the Treasury in motoring taxes each year yet only £6 billion is spent on roads. We have a right to expect and get a safe road network.

‘Adequate money must be provided to local authorities to allow them to undertake this work.’

A spokesman for road-safety charity Brake said: 'Driving over potholes in the road can affect the safety of motorists because they can send you into the path of oncoming traffic. They can also cause a problem for your tyres, which could lead to a blow-out and even affect your car's steering.'