London’s Road Repair Crisis Deepens as Pothole Backlog Hits Record High

LONDON March 18: A new report has warned that London’s worsening pothole problem has no immediate solution, even as funding for road maintenance increases.

The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey found that the repair backlog across England and Wales has surged to a record £18.6 billion, despite councils filling approximately 1.9 million potholes over the past year.

In London, the situation is particularly severe. The cost of addressing the capital’s backlog has climbed to £1.22 billion, highlighting the scale of deterioration despite continued investment in highways and support from the Department for Transport (DfT).

Around 20% of London’s roads—equating to more than 1,900 miles—are now estimated to have less than five years of structural life remaining.

The report, published by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), attributes the growing crisis in part to prolonged wet weather. Rainwater seeps into cracks in road surfaces, then freezes in colder temperatures, expanding and worsening the damage.

Although the government allocated £1.6 billion last year to help local authorities tackle road repairs, the estimated cost of a one-off fix for all potholes has risen by £1.8 billion since 2025.

AIA director Dr Ian Lancaster described the issue as widespread and increasingly dangerous, noting that drivers are frequently forced to swerve or slow down to avoid potholes. He warned that deteriorating roads are contributing to injuries, vehicle damage, and reduced accessibility for everyday journeys, including trips to hospitals and supermarkets.

The report also points to long-term funding challenges. Annual government funding to Transport for London (TfL) was withdrawn in 2018, and London boroughs have not received dedicated support for maintaining major routes since then. Additionally, no funding from the Ulez scheme is allocated to highway maintenance.

David Giles, chair of the AIA, said many road users would consider the current state of local roads a “national disgrace.”

AA president Edmund King echoed these concerns, describing many streets as “patchwork obstacle courses” following periods of record rainfall combined with poor road conditions.

The survey estimates that each London borough would have needed an additional £9.7 million last year just to maintain roads at their target standard and prevent further decline.

It also found that more than half of London’s local roads have less than 15 years of structural life remaining. In total, 82,226 potholes were repaired in the capital over the past year at a cost of £6.5 million.

A DfT spokesperson acknowledged the urgency of the issue, pointing to a planned £7.3 billion in long-term funding aimed at resurfacing roads and addressing potholes. The department said councils would be held accountable for ensuring the money delivers safer and smoother journeys.