UK Roads Face Record £18.62 Billion Repair Backlog as Pothole Damage Hits Drivers

UK Roads Face Record £18.62 Billion Repair Backlog as Pothole Damage Hits Drivers

Date: 17 March 2026 Source: Asphalt Industry Alliance (ALARM 2026 Survey)

The cost of repairing local roads in England and Wales has reached a record £18.62 billion, according to the 2026 Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey published on 17 March 2026 by the Asphalt Industry Alliance. The trade body says it would take 12 years to clear the backlog, with road conditions branded a "national disgrace" by AIA Chair David Giles (Asphalt Industry Alliance, 2026).

Although councils filled 1.9 million potholes last year — more than 5,200 every day — drivers are still feeling the impact. The AA reported being called out to 137,000 pothole-related incidents in just January and February 2026, 25,000 more than the same period last year. Three in ten drivers say their vehicles have suffered pothole damage in the last 12 months, with the average repair bill at £590. The RAC has confirmed that road condition is now the number one motoring concern for UK drivers in 2026, with 47% citing it as their top issue (Asphalt Industry Alliance, 2026).

For motorists, this matters because pothole damage to tyres, wheels, suspension and steering can be expensive. Claiming from your insurer may be faster than chasing the council, but it can affect your No Claims Bonus and future premiums. ICUK Insurance helps drivers compare suitable car, van, taxi and motorcycle insurance quotes that match their real-world risks on UK roads.

Reference: Asphalt Industry Alliance (2026) 'New report reveals record £18.62 billion needed to repair local roads in England and Wales (ALARM Survey 2026)', Asphalt Industry Alliance, 17 March. Available at: https://www.asphaltuk.org/alarm-survey-page/ (Accessed: 18 March 2026).