Key facts
- UK roads are expected to see an increase in potholes due to record summer heatwaves.
- Intense UV exposure and heat degrade the bitumen binding asphalt, making road surfaces brittle and prone to cracking.
- Last winter left half the road network in England and Wales in poor condition, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance.
- Temperatures exceeded 38C during recent heatwaves.
- UK insurance companies reported an increase in subsidence claims in July and August due to hot weather.
- Council highway budgets in England have been increased to a record £1.6bn for 2025-26.
UK roads are expected to deteriorate further, with motorists warned of an increase in potholes following the country's hottest summer on record. While cold and wet weather are commonly blamed for road damage, prolonged heat can also cause lasting harm. Intense UV exposure and heat gradually oxidize the bitumen that binds asphalt, making road surfaces more brittle and susceptible to cracking. These cracks can then quickly develop into serious defects under traffic and rainfall.
According to the Asphalt Industry Alliance, road conditions were already poor after the previous winter, with only half of England and Wales's road network in good condition. The recent summer heatwaves, which saw temperatures surpass 38C in some areas, have further damaged the roads. Mike Hansford, chief executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association, noted that extreme weather, including increased summer UV radiation and colder, wetter winters, accelerates road deterioration.
Scientists from the Met Office have linked the extreme heat to climate change, stating that such temperatures are 130 times more likely due to human-induced climate change. The Met Office also highlighted that extreme weather is straining UK infrastructure in various ways, including soil shrinkage in railway embankments causing timetable disruptions and the risk of rails buckling, which is being investigated as a potential cause for recent derailments.
UK insurance companies have reported a rise in subsidence claims during July and August due to the unusually hot weather. Hastings Direct anticipates claim volumes will remain elevated until at least October, unless sustained rainfall helps restore soil moisture levels.
An earlier RAC report indicated that 51% of motorists consider the state of Britain's roads their biggest driving anxiety, with 83% encountering potholes on most trips. Simon Williams, RAC's head of policy, attributed these concerns to a long-term lack of investment in road maintenance by local authorities, compounded by the wet winter and the recent hot summer.
However, Williams expressed optimism regarding increased government attention to the pothole issue. Council highway budgets in England are set to rise to a record £1.6bn for the 2025-26 period. Additionally, £7.3bn has been allocated for road improvement works between now and the end of the decade. The Department for Transport has also introduced new requirements for English councils, mandating them to demonstrate long-term solutions for pothole repairs, with potential funding cuts of up to a third for those failing to comply.