Summer Heat Threatens Roads
Record Summer Heat Wave Threatens UK Roads With Severe Pothole Surge
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Only about half of the road network in England and Wales was rated in good condition after the previous winter’s rainfall, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance.
2
The RAC found that 66% of motorists believed roads in their area had deteriorated over the previous 12 months, while 54% said they encountered potholes on every journey.
3
Among drivers who frequently encounter potholes, 58% said they must take evasive action on every trip, and another 37% said they do so on most trips.
4
The RAC said pothole-related vehicle repairs can cost up to £590 in more serious cases, with the share of drivers reporting road-surface damage rising from 29% in 2025 to 34% in 2026.
5
England’s council highway budgets were increased to £1.6 billion for 2025-26, with a further £7.3 billion allocated for road-improvement works through the end of the decade, according to the RAC.
The UK's record-breaking summer heat is priming roads for a pothole surge this autumn and winter, warns the RAC. Intense ultraviolet radiation and extreme temperatures oxidize the bitumen that binds asphalt, making it brittle and cracked. When rain and freeze-thaw cycles arrive, those cracks rapidly expand into potholes that damage vehicles and disrupt traffic.
Drivers already face a crisis. RAC research shows 83% encounter potholes on most journeys, and 34% have suffered vehicle damage. The AA in Hampshire handles 2,500 to 3,000 pothole-related breakdowns monthly. Repairs can cost up to £590 for suspension or steering damage.
How Heat Destroys Road Surfaces
Bitumen—the glue holding asphalt together—degrades under UV rays and high temperatures. The Guardian reports the heat causes oxidation, which makes roads brittle. Cracks then spread rapidly when rain seeps in and traffic pounds the weakened surface. Freeze-thaw cycles in winter accelerate the damage by expanding water trapped in cracks.
Road-surface experts say the pattern is now unavoidable. Hot, dry summers followed by cold, wet winters create the perfect storm for deterioration. The Guardian notes that only about half of England and Wales's road network was rated in good condition after the previous winter's rainfall.
Driver Concerns Reach Critical Levels
Nearly two-thirds of motorists say roads have worsened over the past year. RAC data reveals 66% believe conditions in their area deteriorated, while 54% encounter potholes on every journey. Among frequent pothole encounters, 58% must take evasive action on every trip.
Poor road conditions rank as motorists' biggest concern. RAC research found 51% name local roads as their top worry. Vehicle damage from potholes jumped from 29% of drivers in 2025 to 34% in 2026—a sharp five-point rise in just one year.
Repair Costs Pile Up for Motorists
Pothole damage comes with serious expense. A single serious repair for suspension or steering components can reach £590, RAC data shows. The AA in Hampshire reports handling roughly 2,500 to 3,000 pothole-related breakdowns each month, from punctured tires to damaged suspension and steering.
Government Funding Falls Short of Need
Authorities have announced increased spending, but experts say it remains insufficient. England's council highway budgets rose to £1.6 billion for 2025-26, with £7.3 billion allocated for road-improvement works through the end of the decade, RAC reports. RAC is calling for more preventative maintenance and faster repairs to prevent the backlog from worsening.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
10
Articles
12
Reach
22
A
AnonymousAuthor
