Despite a £8.3 billion funding boost from a scrapped HS2 project, UK motorists continue to face hazardous road surfaces, causing a spike in vehicle breakdowns.

The state of the UK’s roads remains in dire straits, as reported by a prominent motoring services chief. This grim situation has led to a noticeable 9% increase in vehicle breakdowns linked to poor road conditions over the last year, according to the latest figures released by the RAC.

As of the year ending March 2024, the RAC has responded to 27,205 breakdown calls attributed to substandard road surfaces, a rise from 24,906 calls during the previous twelve months. Despite a 22% decrease in such incidents in the first quarter of the year, the RAC attributes this decline more to the season’s milder weather rather than any significant improvements in road quality.

Potholes, a perennial nuisance for UK drivers, form through a series of stages, initially due to the road surface cracking from age, inadequate drainage, and various utility works. Water infiltration followed by freezing conditions exacerbates these cracks, allowing ice to expand and further damage the asphalt. Continuous traffic contributes to the problem, eventually causing the asphalt to dislodge and deepen existing potholes.

The impact on vehicles hitting these potholes can be severe, often damaging critical components such as suspension systems, shock absorbers, and springs, and leading to uneven tyre wear and degraded handling. The frequent appearance of potholes, especially in areas with high traffic and typically cold, wet British winters, presents an ongoing challenge to maintaining road integrity and vehicle safety.

Simon Williams, the RAC’s head of policy, emphasized the importance of recognizing the broader issues despite recent improvements, stating, “It’s crucial not to overlook the general miserable state of our roads.” Williams pointed out that the current situation could have been much worse without the milder winter, suggesting that the weather had temporarily masked the true deterioration of the roadways.

The £8.3 billion allocated from the discontinued HS2 rail project to road repairs, announced by the government in October 2023, underscores the urgency and scale of the problem. However, critics argue that while this funding is a step in the right direction, it falls short of addressing the widespread and deep-rooted issues plaguing the UK’s road infrastructure.

As the debate continues, drivers remain at the mercy of the UK’s crumbling roads, hoping for a comprehensive strategy that will lead to long-term improvements. Meanwhile, the RAC’s data vividly illustrates the everyday risks and frustrations faced by millions of motorists, highlighting an urgent need for effective and sustained action to rehabilitate the nation’s roads.