National picture
The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey aims to highlight the connection between local road maintenance funding and conditions in England (including London) and Wales, based on information provided directly by those responsible for their maintenance.
The findings of ALARM Survey 2023, which relate to the 2022/23 financial year, show that a one-time catch-up maintenance cost has reached a new high of £14.02 billion, which would take over a decade to complete.
Other key points from this survey include:
- Average highway maintenance budgets across England and Wales have increased per authority but this does not keep pace with the impacts of rising inflation and represents a cut in real terms.
- One pothole is filled every 19 seconds.
- The average frequency of resurfacing is once every 116 years.
Devon
The impact national challenges, such as Inflation and Climate Change have on the Devon Network is profound.
Figure 1 which shows Capital funding from the Department for Transport for asset renewal had, until 2019/20, been mostly consistent and in-line with inflation with boosts in 2020/21 and 2023/24.
When additional funding has been available, the condition of roads has generally improved. The additional boost in funding of £16 million in 2023/24 (additional Pothole Fund and Network North Funding) is likely to have a positive impact on next year’s survey. If the 2014/15 allocation had increased in line with inflation this would have enabled year-on-year improvement.
Whilst we are seeing a reduction in investment this year the government has signalled additional allocations for the next 10 years in the network north statement identifying an intention to invest a further £670 million in allocation between 2025 and 2034.
Figure 1 Capital funding comparisons:
Further examples of the impact of these funding challenges can be seen below:
- Appropriate funding levels allocated to the more strategic network to maintain current conditions levels, while managing a decline in the more minor network.
- Potholes are likely to become more prevalent, leading to a rise in unplanned and disruptive maintenance.
Despite these pressures, the Council has continued to focus on review and improvement of current working practices to increase efficiency and reduce disruption, recognising that in the absence of adequate funds, the Council must prioritise.