ALARM Survey Highlights Record High Road Repairs Backlog

The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) Survey Report is out, and it paints a bleak picture of the current state of our roads. Dawsongroup emc has insight into the situation and offers an ideal solution.

From significant worsening in condition, and the means to improve them, to budget freezes and shortfalls, the 2023 report makes for a concerning read. The backlog of road repairs is the highest it has ever been and highway budget shortfalls in 2022/23 were up to record levels too.

Resurfacing now takes place, on average, less than once every 100 years, and the cost of the backlog of repairs to bring the network up to scratch is at just over £14 billion. As local authorities deal with an ageing network, it is no surprise to learn that 8,000 fewer miles of roads are classed as structurally ‘good’ than reported last year.

Pothole Pandemic

One problem that clearly remains a key issue for the public is the number of potholes found on roads across England and Wales. Each year, hundreds of thousands of potholes are reported to councils. However, according to the ALARM report, over the past year, the number of pothole repairs has dropped by 16%, from 1.7 million to 1.4 million, leaving roads in a poor state.

Not only does this pose a real danger to road users across the country, but it also hits local authority budgets hard. With a nine-year backlog to tackle, councils face £12.64bn worth of outstanding pothole repairs in England and Wales. They are also hit by compensation claims, with 72% of road user claims relating to potholes.

However, the financial burden of road repairs isn’t the only challenge facing local authorities. It seems that the significant backlog and the growing number of new potholes are too much for them to handle. Put simply, they can’t fix them fast enough.

Traditionally, councils use a team of operatives to tackle potholes, but it seems that these standard road repair methods cannot keep up with the demand of our crumbling networks.

Pothole Pro

This is where the JCB Pothole Pro can make a huge difference.

The JCB Pothole Pro is an award-winning machine with a three-in-one solution specifically designed to repair any pothole efficiently, economically, and permanently. It comes with three dedicated attachments to cut, crop, and clean the area ready for resurfacing in just eight minutes. This means there is no need for additional specialist equipment or manpower, saving both time and money.

It can prepare up to 250m² of roadway in a single shift, equating to 5,000m² per month, and making it four times quicker than standard pothole repair methods. By mechanising jobs traditionally done by pothole teams, the JCB Pothole Pro delivers up to a 50% cut in daily costs.

Read more about Dawsongroup emc’s solution to the road repair backlog.

With over 20 years’ experience supporting local authorities, Dawsongroup emc is perfectly placed to support you. To find out more, get in touch with the team today on 01484 400111 or contact us here.