UK's roads deteriorate?

The latest data available from the UK's 5432 Department for Transport (DfT) shows a worrying decrease in road quality across the country. The DfT's Highways Condition Index for all classified roads in England has fallen from 100 in the 2008 - 2009 period to 98 for the 2009 - 2010 period. This indicates that there has been a deterioration in road conditions.

For the 2009 - 2010 period, the major A roads were in better condition, on average, than the smaller B and C category roads.

Similarly, urban roads were in better condition than rural roads. Over 94% of the classified road network in England was in good or reasonable condition for the 2009 - 2010 period, while only 15% of the unclassified road network in England was in a potentially poor condition in 2009 - 2010 period. According to the study about 4% of the motorway and trunk A road network required further investigation to assess its immediate maintenance needs in 2009 - 2010. In 2009 - 2010, English local authorities spent £3.2 billion on the maintenance of local roads. Meanwhile in 2009 - 2010, the 2309 Highways Agency spent £1.3 billion on the maintenance of motorways and all-purpose trunk roads in England. The figures reveal a worrying trend and show how lack of investment in maintenance is leading towards a growing problem in worsening road conditions. Furthermore, lack of investment combined with the use of antiquated construction methods and the use of the lowest cost tender approach means that the problem will continue to worsen.