Councils that fail to prevent potholes should have mandatory training'

"Councils failing to prevent potholes by neglecting road maintenance should undergo mandatory training, a leading motoring organisation has claimed. The RAC has urged the government to implement the measure, arguing that many local authorities' reactive-only approach has clearly contributed to the poor condition of many roads. In a joint effort with the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA), the RAC has written to Future of Roads minister Lilian Greenwood."

"Their letter said there are critical benefits of sealing road surfaces to prevent water ingress, which can freeze and exacerbate cracks into potholes. The estimated cost to bring England and Wales's pothole-ridden local roads up to standard has reached a record 16.8 billion. The RSTA says many councils are ignoring preventative treatments which could be applied from five years after a road surface is laid, to keep it in good condition for longer."

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The RAC has urged the government to introduce mandatory training for councils to improve road maintenance and prevent potholes. Many local authorities take a reactive-only approach, contributing to widespread road deterioration. The RAC and the Road Surface Treatments Association wrote to Future of Roads minister Lilian Greenwood highlighting the benefits of sealing road surfaces to stop water ingress and freezing that worsen cracks into potholes. The estimated cost to bring local roads in England and Wales up to standard is a record £16.8 billion. The RSTA warns that councils often ignore preventative treatments that could be applied from five years after a surface is laid, increasing long-term repair costs.

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