Potholes dominate not just the motoring press headlines, but all media outlets.

After years of neglect under the Conservative government’s ‘austerity’ programme, the national infrastructure appears to be literally crumbling.

With higher traffic levels, especially increasing use of heavier vehicles – SUVs to delivery vans and larger HGVs – combined with more extreme weather conditions, the outlook isn’t looking good.

Can’t see the bottom

Potholes damaging cars are the biggest bugbear among drivers in Britain, according to the latest RAC motoring survey.

Britain’s roads were the main concern for almost six in 10 people.

It topped the list of motoring complaints for the first time – ahead of insurance costs and fuel prices.

Frustration with local roads is now 21% ahead of drivers’ second biggest concern, the cost of insuring a vehicle, and 24% ahead of the third biggest issue, which is the cost of fuel.

A record and growing, proportion of drivers also report that local roads they use are in a worse state than the 12 months before.

This year, almost three-quarters (73%) of drivers say the condition of the local roads they use regularly is poorer than a year ago, compared to 67% last year and just 49% in 2019.

This is due to the fact that the damage is taking a real toll on people’s wallets.

On average, drivers pay £460 for pothole damage – punctures, wheel damage, and broken suspension springs the most commonly reported in the past 12 months.

On top of this, local authorities are failing to repair the crumbling road surfaces even when they are reported.

Uncomfortable ride

Frustrations are beginning to run high with drivers, often repeatedly suffering damage.

This is leading some people to take their own action, including celebrities such as Rod Stewart.

Some motorists are finding ways to make the point to their local councils.

Alan from Macclesfield climbed inside the crater and sent the pictures to his local council. “They did finally fill” it, he said.

The Department for Transport said it was helping councils to fix “up to one million more potholes a year”.

However, the problems are far more significant, and short-term pothole repairs need to recognise the state of the road surface in general whilst costing the taxpayer more in the long run.

On the lookout

Potholes can also prove dangerous and a road safety issue.

Pedestrians have tripped and fallen whilst crossing roads, steering brakes, suspension, and wheels can be damaged, and drivers are spending more concentration on checking for and avoiding potholes rather than on other road users.

What’s more, claiming for compensation can prove time-consuming and costly.

Louise Thomas, an insurance expert at price comparison website Confused.com, told the BBC the majority of drivers end up paying for repairs out of their own pocket because it is quicker and more convenient, adding that claiming on insurance could see future premiums rise.

“What they should do is go to the council. Councils are responsible for maintaining roads, therefore they’re also responsible for paying out any claims for damage to your vehicle,” she said.

Damaging drives

According to the RAC, almost three-quarters of drivers said the condition of local roads they use regularly is poorer than a year ago.

The motoring group said its research suggested that potholes are worse in rural areas.

It said its own data showed there were more than 25,000 pothole-related breakdowns in the 12 months to the end of June.

“Unfortunately our roads are deteriorating, there’s no question about that. This is really unacceptable, given the amount of money that drivers pay in motoring taxation, we estimate that to be around £45bn,” said Simon Williams from the RAC.

The previous Conservative administration had pledged to put an extra £8.3bn towards road maintenance in England over the coming decade.

As part of that, £150m in additional funding for last year and this year has already been given to councils.

Time for change

Unfortunately, the levels of underfunding over the last decade have led to crisis levels of potholes and road surface issues.

Both the RAC and the Local Government Association (LGA) called for the new Labour government to commit to maintaining those spending plans and a strategic national plan to halt and reverse the issues.

Claire Holland from the LGA said councils, who are responsible for local road maintenance, had “limited resources” and a backlog of repairs costing some £16.3bn.

The Department for Transport said it was supporting local authorities to fix “up to one million more potholes a year”, but did not say how much money would be allocated.