Sun now causes potholes too

Britain's roads are suffering from record heat this summer. The RAC warns that intense ultraviolet radiation and heat damage asphalt, making surfaces brittle and prone to cracking.

How heat damages road surfaces

UV exposure and heat gradually oxidise the bitumen that binds asphalt together. Once cracks develop, traffic and rainfall quickly turn them into serious defects.

“Intense UV exposure and heat gradually oxidise the bitumen that binds asphalt together, making surfaces more brittle and prone to cracking.”

Record temperatures hit the UK

Scorching temperatures soared across Britain, reaching a peak of 38.1 degrees Celsius in Kew Gardens, south-west London as the country sweltered under five heatwaves.

Heat emergency disrupted transport

The extreme temperatures threw parts of the country into chaos. More than 1,000 schools closed, rail operators slashed timetables, and Eurostar services were cancelled.

Motorists deeply worried about roads

According to a 2026 report, 51 per cent of motorists said the condition of the roads was their biggest worry when driving.

Potholes are everywhere on UK roads

83 per cent of drivers said they come across potholes on most of their journeys and more than half said they encounter them on every trip.

Pothole crisis costs billions annually

Britain's pothole crisis has been laid bare with new figures suggesting motorists now pay 3.3 billion pounds in repair damages annually.

One million potholes in the UK

There are claimed to be one million potholes in the UK. If a driver damages their car, they face an average cost of 341 pounds to rectify.

Common pothole damage to vehicles

Typical repair issues include suspension damage, misaligned tracking and blown tyres.

West Midlands hit hardest

West Midlands came out top with 33 per cent of motorists claiming their vehicle has been damaged by a pothole in the last year, with the average cost to fix at 350 pounds.

North East also severely affected

The North East has 26 per cent of drivers affected by potholes, with repairs costing around 325 pounds. Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland are the primary cities in this area.

Greater London most expensive

The most expensive region is Greater London. Drivers in the UK's capital face repair bills of 512 pounds and 24 per cent claimed to have been affected.

North West and Wales repair costs

The North West costs 362 pounds for repairs, while Wales charges 238 pounds. Wales is the cheapest region for vehicle repairs.

Government increases road funding

Council highway budgets in England have been increased to a record 1.6 billion pounds for 2025-26. In November's budget, 7.3 billion pounds was allocated for road improvement works between now and the end of the decade.

Industry develops heat-resistant roads

The road surface treatments industry has responded to extreme weather by modifying the binders used in treatments, making them more resistant to both summer and winter extreme temperatures.

New reporting requirements for councils

The Department for Transport issued new reporting requirements for English councils in June which require them to prove they are doing more to fix potholes and future-proof roads.

Councils face funding penalties

Local authorities risk losing up to a third of their funding for roads maintenance if they fail to demonstrate they are working effectively.

Full resurfacing encouraged over patches

New requirements aim to encourage full resurfacing of roads rather than short-term fixes that don't address underlying damage.