The Pothole Partnership represents the interests of drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, and road repairers, and comprises The AA, JCB, British Cycling, and National Motorcyclists Council (NMC).
The partnership has written a five-point plan to take to ministers and plans to meet with the future roads minister later this month.
The AA’s latest Pothole Index found that pothole-related breakdown callouts have increased by 2% so far this year compared to the same period last year.
The main incidents relate to punctures, damaged wheels, steering and suspension. Recent heavy rain means many potholes are hidden in puddles.
Previous research shows that The AA dealt with 631,852 pothole-related incidents in 2023, the highest for five years.
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The partnership stressed that permanently fixing the potholes will both reduce casualties and costs to road users.
It also warned that pothole damage is affecting the economy, with damage to vehicles hitting a five-year high. It has been estimated that the pothole crisis is costing the economy of England alone at least £14.4bn per year.
A campaign on potholes by Cycling Weekly in 2023 found that 118 bike riders were killed or seriously injured due to a defective road surface between 2017 and 2021, with six losing their lives. Despite an increase in funding committed by the Government, it is estimated that the total cost of fixing all current defects could be as high as £14bn.
Edmund King, The AA’s president, said: “Recently, we have seen an increase in vehicle pothole damage, as the heavy rain means puddles hide the potholes. The current Government knows that all road users are fed up with potholes and has the opportunity to make a step change in the spiral of decline by adopting and advocating measures to permanently fix the problem rather than the past patchwork approach. It is costing drivers a fortune, but tragically costing lives for those on two wheels.”
Craig Carey-Clinch, the NMC’s executive director, said: “The situation is becoming ever more acute for motorcyclists. Potholes and other road surface-related defects are already shown to be extremely dangerous for motorcycle riders.
“The same pothole that damages a car could prove fatal to a rider. The NMC fully supports the Pothole Partnership and urges the new administration to put this issue front and centre and to carry forward and front load funding that was previously announced. The problem is now.”
