AIA ALARM Survey 2015

Asphalt Industry Alliance says additional funding barely keeping pace with pothole repairs

THE 20th Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey, published today (26 March 2015), highlights a 33% increase in the number of potholes filled over the last year − but no reduction in the amount needed to bring the network up to scratch.

Despite local authorities reporting an increase in their overall maintenance budget, one in six roads in England and Wales are still classed as being in poor condition and an estimated £12.16 billion is needed to get the local road network back into reasonable condition, according to the survey.

Alan Mackenzie, chairman of the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), which produces the ALARM survey, said: ‘The Government’s emergency funding for pothole and flood repairs following last year’s wet winter has clearly contributed to the trends reported in this year’s survey.

‘Essentially, the money spent on filling the 2.7 million potholes reported is wasted − it is inefficient and short term in its effectiveness. While we understand that the Department for Transport is promoting permanent repairs, the point remains that money would be better spent preventing potholes forming in the first place.’

This year’s ALARM survey also reports that although authorities in England and Wales have seen their average annual budget shortfall drop by 24% (from £4.2 million in 2014 to £3.2 million this year), the time it would take to clear the backlog has increased to 13 years (from 12 years in 2014).

Mr Mackenzie added: ‘The £6 billion of funding pledged between 2015 and 2021 is welcome, and hopefully will be confirmed by an incoming government. But the truth is that although it sounds like a big investment, it will only be enough for local authorities to tread water and it will do nothing to tackle the backlog or prevent continuing deterioration.’

According to Mr Mackenzie, around 85% of ALARM survey respondents acknowledged the benefits of structured road maintenance programmes as part of their long-term asset management plans.

‘Research has shown that adopting an ‘invest to save’ approach pays dividends − with every planned investment in the road network providing long-term savings of more than twice the value,’ he said. ‘Moving forward, we need planned structural maintenance, resurfacing, strengthening and reconstruction.’

Key findings of the ALARM Survey 2015 can be seen by opening the PDF attachment below.