Pothole repair has spiked this summer following higher temperatures and heat stress on the UK’s roads, according to The AA and The Pothole Partnership.
Figures produced from July’s AA Pothole Index revealed a clear spike in incidents compared to the same period last year.
It follows a period where callouts from AA members had reduced, offering hope the UK had turned a corner on pothole repairs, but the latest figures are an “unwelcome reversal”, it said.
The hotter weather this summer has contributed to a surge in pothole incidents, reversing positive trends and highlighting the persistent vulnerability of the UK’s road network.
Several factors are believed to be behind the worsening figures, including increased road trips which often take unfamiliar rural roads where repairs often have a lower priority, higher temperatures making tyres more susceptible to failure, and heat stress weakening road surfaces.
The Pothole Partnership is an alliance comprising The AA, JCB, British Cycling, and the National Motorcyclists Council, plus other supporting organisations, which has now “voiced deep concern at these developments”.
The Partnership stresses that the combined impact of extreme weather and neglected infrastructure “places all road users at heightened risk—from drivers and cyclists to motorcyclists and pedestrians”.
Edmund King, AA president, said:
“This summer’s heatwave has starkly exposed the fragility of Britain’s roads. While investment and repair campaigns have made a difference, the recent setback illustrates that much more must be done to create a safe and reliable road network for everyone.
“We urge the government and local authorities to redouble their efforts in tackling the pothole crisis, prioritising rural routes and frequently used cycling and motorcycling corridors.”
Caroline Julian, Brand and Engagement Director at British Cycling said:
“The state of the UK’s roads continues to be a huge barrier which prevents many people from getting on a bike and these latest figures are a big concern. The increasing number of incidents highlights the growing danger to people who are already choosing to ride bikes, as well as acting as a deterrent to people who might be interested in taking it cycling up for fun or fitness.
“We strongly advocate cycling as a critical part of the solution to the nation’s economic, social and health inequalities, but the increasingly poor condition of our roads continues to jeopardise this. We echo the call for more to be done to create a safe and reliable road network to protect all road users.”
Craig Carey-Clinch, the National Motorcycle Committee’s Executive Director said:
“Although the NMC has welcomed recent investment announcements, the July Pothole Index underlines that the urgency of the problem remains. Potholes, damaged surfaces and other related road conditions remain a serious hazard for motorcyclists and other two wheel users, with riders often citing this as a major road safety issue for them.
“Local authorities must act on recent investment announcements, including undertaking the requirement for road maintenance reporting which will unlock additional funding.”
Ben Rawding, General Manager at JCB, said:
“The latest AA Pothole Index highlights how vulnerable our road network remains, especially under the strain of extreme weather.
“While funding plays a vital role, it’s innovation that enables us to do more with the resources already available. At JCB, we’re focused on permanent repair methods, such as the JCB Pothole Pro, that extend the life of the road surface. Moving away from short-term fixes is essential if we’re to make meaningful and lasting progress.”
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