Heatwave Intensifies Britain’s Pothole Crisis, AA Issues Stark Warning

They used to be a nuisance that most drivers only worried about during the cold, wet months of winter. Now, experts warn that potholes have become a year-round hazard, and this summer’s blistering heatwaves are making the problem worse than ever.

According to the AA, extreme heat weakens road surfaces, leading to a surge in vehicle breakdowns caused by pothole damage. Last month alone, there were 50,000 such call-outs, a 2.1 per cent increase compared with July 2024, reversing the decline seen earlier in the year.

Mr King added: 'While investment and repair campaigns have made a difference, the recent setback illustrates much more must be done. 

We urge the Government and local authorities to redouble their efforts in tackling the pothole crisis.'

AA president Edmund King says the scorching conditions have laid bare just how fragile Britain’s roads have become, despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously urging councils to get on with repairs. Worn tyres and an increase in tourists driving along rural routes have also contributed to the rise. Common issues include damaged shock absorbers, broken springs, and warped wheels.

Ben Rawding, from construction equipment maker JCB, which is part of the Pothole Partnership alongside the AA, says the figures prove our roads are vulnerable and that the focus must shift from quick, short-term patch jobs to lasting repairs.

Repairing potholes across England and Wales is expected to cost £16.8 billion. The Government has allocated £1.6 billion for local road maintenance in England this financial year, an increase of £500 million on the previous year’s budget.

A Local Government Association spokesman said 'greater long-term funding certainty' will enable councils to invest in more 'preventative treatments'.

A spokesperson for the Local Government Association states that providing councils with greater long-term funding certainty would enable them to invest more in preventive maintenance.

So far this year, Britain has endured four separate heatwaves, with the latest expected to stretch into next week. The Department for Transport has been asked for comment.