Resources
APPG Reports
Working for better roads: A call for the re-instatement of targeted and accountable support for local road maintenance | September 2023 (revised November 2023)
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Better Roads has issued a report calling for central government to re-instate sustained and targeted local road maintenance funding. The report draws on a review of the Pothole Action Fund (2015/16-2020/21) demonstrating that it was a successful policy which contributed to marked improvements in the overall structural conditions on the local road network – but since its replacement gains made have been lost.
The report proposes that a ‘Better Roads Fund’ is introduced, with longer term funding commitments from central Government, direct budget allocation and full transparency. This would help deliver a sustained improvement in local road conditions and enhanced network resilience. It would also save money over the long term and ensure local roads are able to support the challenges ahead associated with the growth in Electric vehicles (EVs) and decarbonisation.
Warm Mix Asphalt: Reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiencies │ September 2019
All-Party Parliamentary Group report highlighting how the use of Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) can reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiencies on highways projects.
APPG published report calling for urgent action to counteract the deterioration of local roads. The APPG considered that “…urgent action is needed to counteract the obvious deterioration of the local roads, that are vital to everyone’s daily existence and which account for more than 95 per cent of the country’s network.”
Industry Reports
Asphalt Industry Alliance report:
Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey 18 March 2025
Every year the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) commissions an independent survey of local authority highway departments in England (including London) and Wales. The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey provides detailed insight into the funding and conditions of the local road network, based on information provided directly by those responsible for its maintenance.
Now in its 30th year, ALARM 2025 data shows that the backlog of carriageway repairs in England and Wales has reached a record £16.81 billion and that more than half (52 per cent) of the local road network – equivalent to around 106,000 miles – now has less than 15 years’ structural life remaining.
For previous ALARM reports, go to: https://www.asphaltuk.org/alarm-survey-previous-reports/
RoadFile (published biennially)
RoadFile provides a credible source of information for UK road-related statistics. It offers a useful hub of collated data to highlight the important role the road network plays in keeping communities connected and in supporting the economy.
YouGov reports: The economic impact of local road condition │ October 2010
Research commissioned by the AIA in 2010 which “…analyses the impact of poorly maintained roads on the public and on small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in England and Wales.”
