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Vicious cycle: The UK's perennial pothole problem
March 27, 2025
Each spring, as the frost thaws, Britain’s roads reveal their battle scars. Potholes are back in the headlines, a seasonal spectacle of cracked asphalt and political posturing. This isn’t just an annual grumble - it’s a worsening crisis. Roads are crumbling under the weight of ever-larger vehicles, and while councils scramble to patch the damage, the holes reappear faster than they can be filled.
The problem isn’t just inconvenience; it’s a serious hazard. For people walking or cycling, particularly older and disabled individuals, potholes aren’t just annoying - they’re dangerous. A tangle of craters can send a cyclist flying or trip up a pedestrian. Even drivers, whose frustrations dominate the conversation, face costly repairs as their vehicles take a beating.
Potholes have become a political lightning rod; shorthand for neglect of our transport network. Keir Starmer, in a bid to woo motorists, told The Sun it was “extremely hard” to drive on a modest income and promised to “bear down” on costs for drivers. The interview followed news of his new ranking system for councils based on their pothole-filling efforts. Those who fail to prove their worthiness could lose a chunk of their road repair funding.
Unfortunately, this approach may end up being as patchy as the roads it aims to fix. The Local Government Association rightly points out that endlessly reacting to potholes is a flawed strategy. Rather than funnelling money into short-term repairs, the focus should be on preventing road degradation in the first place.
Roads less travelled
What if, instead of throwing money at potholes, we removed the problem altogether? Pedestrianisation - creating car-free streets where appropriate - is a quick way to eliminate road wear and tear. And there are other benfits, too. Cities like Amsterdam and Paris show us that reducing car dependency doesn’t just improve road quality, it makes urban spaces more liveable.
On roads where pedestrianisation isn’t feasible, reducing speed limits could slow the rate of road deterioration. Lower speeds mean less impact on the tarmac, protecting cars, bikes, and the public purse alike.
Of course, the bigger picture solution is investing in public transport and active travel infrastructure, making it easier for people to leave the car at home in the first place. Yet, rather than having the confidence to push for transformative change, politicians retreat to the easy option: pledging to fix patch-up potholes.
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Information correct at time of publication.
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