BRITAIN’S ROADS IN CRISIS: Pothole breakdowns soar by 17%
The state of Britain’s roads continues to deteriorate, as new data from the RAC reveals a sharp rise in pothole-related breakdowns in late 2024. In the final three months of the year, RAC patrols dealt with 4,709 incidents linked to damaged suspension springs, shock absorbers, and distorted wheels—up 17% from the 4,040 recorded in the previous quarter.
These figures, published in the RAC’s Pothole Index, highlight the growing cost of poor road maintenance. Over the same period, 39% of breakdowns attended were caused by punctured tyres. While such incidents can result from various hazards like nails and screws, the data points to potholes as a significant factor. This was the highest proportion of tyre-related breakdowns recorded in any quarter of 2024.
Winter weather is a key driver of pothole formation, with freezing water expanding in road cracks. Yet, despite experiencing fewer frost days and 28% less rainfall than average in the fourth quarter, pothole-related breakdowns continued to rise. Experts warn that recent severe weather could exacerbate the problem in 2025. Last week’s storms caused one of the RAC’s busiest breakdown periods since the pandemic.
The financial impact on drivers is considerable. Garage data from the RAC shows an average repair cost of £460 for damage caused by potholes—substantially higher than the average £260 compensation paid out by councils in 2023. With councils under pressure and road conditions worsening, the burden on motorists is only expected to increase.
As Britain faces yet another challenging year for its roads, the call for improved infrastructure and maintenance grows louder. For now, drivers are left footing the bill.
Alice Simpson, RAC Breakdown spokesperson, said: “The poor condition of Britain’s roads is by far and away drivers’ top concern, yet despite the mild weather our figures show there was no relief from the problem in the final quarter of 2024 – with our patrols attending more pothole-related breakdowns compared to three months earlier.
“In the aftermath of this month’s blast of snow and ice, we may see the unwelcome trend continue in 2025 as excess water freezes and expands in cracks on the roads. To prevent water-damaged roads in future, we urge local highways authorities to resurface those in the worst condition and surface dress other roads to stop them deteriorating further.
“Hopefully the Government funding announced before Christmas will go some way towards literally filling in the cracks, giving road users smoother, safer surfaces. The £1.6bn allocated to pothole repairs is the biggest one-off road maintenance settlement councils in England have ever been given. What’s especially positive is it comes with guidance to use the money wisely by carrying out preventative maintenance, which we hope stops more potholes appearing in the future.”
