Bristol City Council Upgrades 159 Roads, Resurfaces Marsh Street as UK Pothole Backlog Hits £18.6 Billion
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 23
Bristol City Council Upgrades 159 Roads, Resurfaces Marsh Street as UK Pothole Backlog Hits £18.6 Billion
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 23
Summary
159 Bristol roads will be treated from this month to reduce water and UV damage, and Marsh Street will be stripped back and fully resurfaced in July after years of severe wear.
£10.3 million over five years was approved by Bristol last week for road maintenance, part of a wider £21 million highways package, but the council says its £3 million annual budget is still far short of the £9 million needed.
Bristol has already spent nearly £1 million on pothole repairs this year, yet officials say patching holes only addresses symptoms because failing road surfaces need deeper, preventive renewal.
Across England and Wales, councils estimate a £18.6 billion repair backlog even after filling 1.9 million potholes last year, with wetter winters and tight, short-term funding worsening deterioration.
The Department for Transport says £7.3 billion in multi-year funding is now available nationally, including £2.1 billion tied to proof that councils have effective repair and prevention plans.