Road condition statistics 'shocking' and 'damning'

21/03/2025 | CHRIS AMES

Road condition statistics 'shocking' and 'damning'

A key figure behind this week’s headline-grabbing ALARM survey of local roads has said it is ‘disgusting’ that the country has allowed the network to deteriorate to the point where councils intervene based on which roads pose the most risk to themselves.

The 2025 Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey found that 52% of local authority-managed roads are in either adequate or poor condition, meaning that they have no more than 15 years of life.

Speaking to Highways’ All Roads Lead podcast, Ian Lancaster, technical lead for Eurobitume and a director of the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), which produces the ALARM survey, described this as a ‘shocking statistic’

He said he like 'to know at what point we as a country and as a developed economy’ had arrived at this situation, adding that he saw it as equally damning that 65% of respondents to the survey – local authority highways managers – said they had seen a decline in the structural condition of their roads over the last year. 

AIA chairman David Giles (pictured), director of Continental Bitumen Limited, said he ‘absolutely agreed’ with Dr Lancaster.

He told the podcast: ‘It's disgusting that we've allowed this hugely important asset to get into this condition.

‘We are reaching the point now where it's just managed decline. We're already seeing interventions taking place where there is the greatest risk of injury, harm, basically where the roads are presenting the most risk to the local authority. You know, we are seeing that and we've heard that anecdotally.

‘Is that acceptable in this country, one of the leading economies of the world, that we're deciding where to repair roads based upon the risk that they present to the local authority?’

Mr Giles also expressed scepticism that using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect defects would improve the situation.

‘Does that give you more money? Does that give us more funding?’ he asked.

‘No, what it does, it automates and maybe does more of the standardisation. At the end of the day, it's still the politicians that have to decide, whether it's an AI model that's telling them or whether it's a spreadsheet filled in the traditional way.

'It is still the politician that makes the decision as to how much money is going to be allocated to our local roads and at the moment their decision is that they have allowed managed decline’.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Development Management Engineer

£37,938 - £44,711
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Engineer (Consultancy)

£43,693 - £50,788 
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Carbon and Net Zero Manager

£47,754 - £50,788
To lead and manage the carbon strategy for the Agent by developing a programme South Wales
Recruiter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Highways Engagement Officer - WMF1977e

£33,366 - £34,314
The role will provide specialist support within the Highways service Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Trunk Road Services – Senior Supervisor

Grade 9
South Wales Trunk Road Agent
Recruiter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Horticultural Operative

£25390.0000 - £26203.0000 per annum
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit a Horticultural Operative.To apply please click here
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Highway Asset Maintenance Assistant Engineer (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (Pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Engineer, Highways Asset Maintenance CDC

Grade 9, £38,653 - £42,728 (Pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation which puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Street Cleansing Team Leader

£31,067.00 - £33,366.00, Grade 7, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Team Leader Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Street Cleansing Driver / Operative (Pavement Sweeper)

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
The post holder will be part of a Street Scene Team to deliver a high quality citizen focused Street Scene service Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Traffic Engineering Officer

£36,124 to £37,938 per annum
An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate Traffic Engineering Officer Rutland
Recruiter: Rutland County Council

Highways Engineer

£36,124 to £37,938 per annum
An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate Highways Engineer Rutland
Recruiter: Rutland County Council

Civil Enforcement Officers

£25,183- £26,409 plus weekend allowance
We’re looking for Civil Enforcement officers to join our parking services team. North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Asset Development Manager

£44,111 per annum (pay award pending)
Do you want to work for an organisation that values you as an individual? West Yorkshire
Recruiter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Career Grade Transport Planner (Carer Grade 6-8)

Grade 06 (£29,093 - £32,654) TO Grade 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a forward thinking and dynamic transport authority located in the heart of the North West Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Transport Planner

GRADE 10 (£47,754 - £50,787)
This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a forward thinking and dynamic transport authority located in the heart of the North West. Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Senior Technician - Highways Inspections

Grade 10 £34,324 - £37,529 per annum
This is an exciting time to join one of the country’s leading public sector in-house Highways Services Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Technician - Asset Management

Grade 10 £34,324 - £37,529 per annum
The position provides an exciting opportunity to develop how all highway assets are managed in the future Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Road and Street Works Co-ordinator Engineer

Grade 11 £39,513 to £43,693 per annum
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Highway Network Management Section as a Road & Street Works Co-ordinator Engineer.   The efficient co-ordi Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Group Manager for Highway Contracts and Service Development

£59,537 progressing to £66,642
This role’s purpose is to manage the suite of highway contracts and continue to develop and improve the Highways Service in all senses Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW