Automaker steps in to address worsening road conditions while councils struggle with multi-year repair delays.
Citroën has taken direct action to repair potholes in Gateshead after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed severe backlogs in road maintenance across the UK. The company funded a week’s worth of repairs—covering 250 square meters of damaged road—in response to data showing that many councils face waits of up to three years to address reported damage.
The Scale of the Problem
The FOI request, sent to 424 UK councils, highlighted the extent of the disrepair. According to the findings, approximately 1 in 20 roads require immediate attention due to pothole damage. Some councils, like Pembrokeshire and Clackmannanshire, estimate it would take a full year to clear their current backlog. Shropshire Council anticipates a three-year wait.
However, the sheer number of potholes varies dramatically by region. Derbyshire County Council has at least 13,327 potholes reported, while Dumfries and Galloway Council faces an even larger backlog of 16,819. In total, over 12,000 miles of UK roads are classified as “red,” meaning they require urgent investigation and repair.
Why This Matters
The situation isn’t just an inconvenience for drivers; it’s a sign of underfunding and delayed infrastructure maintenance. The latest ALARM report estimates that resolving the national pothole backlog would require £16.8 billion and approximately 12 years, despite a recent £1.6 billion government investment.
This gap between funding and need is why companies like Citroën are stepping in. Greg Taylor, managing director of Citroën UK, said, “More needs to be done to ensure the UK’s roads don’t deteriorate even further, and councils need more support…”
The Bigger Picture
The problem extends beyond mere inconvenience. Deteriorating roads lead to vehicle damage, increased repair costs for drivers, and potential safety hazards. The fact that a private company is now funding public infrastructure repairs highlights the limitations of current governmental investment and the growing urgency of the situation.
The worsening state of UK roads underscores a critical need for sustained investment and efficient maintenance practices. Without long-term solutions, the backlog will only continue to grow.
