Amid new research which reveals the stark reality of Britain’s pothole crisis, Associated Asphalt Contracting Ltd has asserted its belief that there could be, at least in part, a solution in the form of reverting to a pay-for-performance resurfacing model.
According to the latest report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), the cost of repairing England and Wales’s crumbling local roads has soared to a record £18.6 billion. Despite the government allocating £1.6bn to local roads last year – including an additional £500m cash injection – the study found that potholes are still appearing faster than councils can fill them. This comes as just 51% of local roads in the UK were found to be in good condition.
While much debate surrounds funding shortfalls and the pace of remedial action, Associated Asphalt has been quick to point out a more systemic failure in the UK’s short-term approach to road resurfacing whereby price and speed are typically the deciding factors.
Paul Phillips, Technical Director at Associated Asphalt Contracting Ltd comments: “Although the Government has committed to increasing its budget for local road repairs, it’s clear that the scale of the crisis far outstrips even this welcome uplift.
“The problem isn’t just about funding – it’s also a short-term mindset. Inherently, local road works have prioritised cost and speed over performance, trapping councils in a vicious cycle of pothole patches. A smart, long-term framework that pays for durable, long-lasting results rather than quick fixes would go a long way in preventing issues forming in the first place.”
As part of its recommendations for change, Associated Asphalt advocates for a pay-per-performance scheme whereby contractors are able to earn more for superior work. Widely used across the USA, this approach has been proven to result in an extended lifespan, fewer repairs and lower long-term costs.
He adds: “We’re at a pivotal juncture for the UK’s local roads and it’s clear something needs to change. Drawing on our experience overseas, we’ve seen first-hand the proven effectiveness of the pay-per-performance approach in terms of delivering real, lasting results. Moreover, we know the contracting sector has the technical capability and willingness to deliver superior results, without the constraints of being the cheapest bidder.
“While there’s no silver bullet solution, we believe this approach would enable the pivot we need from patchy quick-fixes to long-lasting quality, slashing repeat repairs and tackling the pothole problem at the root.”
(Picture: Associated Asphalt)
