As many as 96% of local authorities (LAs) in England believe that underfunding of road maintenance is posing a threat to road users' safety. This figure rises to 100% in Wales.
The overall scale of the concern among LAs is revealed in the latest 'Alarm' report published by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), which claims that the low priority assigned to the condition of the road network and a continuing shortfall of funds will eventually result in fatal accidents.
The survey reveals:
- Almost 20% of all the LAs in England, and more than 65% in Wales, believe underfunding of their maintenance budgets is creating a "major threat" to safety. This figure is 38% for authorities in the London area.
- Some 62% of authorities in England, 87% in Wales and 68% in London believe visual defects in road structure (ie potholes) have increased over the past decade.
- The LAs talk of a budget shortfall in carriageway maintenance of around 50%.
One LA highways engineer warns: "If the level of investment keeps dropping and the problems grow worse, it won't be long before we get fatalities."
AIA chairman Jim Crick says: "Disappointingly, the 2007 survey reveals no light at the end of the tunnel for road maintenance departments. There is increasing concern about the deterioration of our roads and the consequences for safety. "Despite changes of government and transport ministers, and increasing road congestion, the low prioritisation of our road network condition remains all too consistent."
l www.asphaltindustryalliance.com/alarm.asp