Channel 4’s Dispatches Reveals How Councils Tackle Our Roads

Britain’s roads are facing a perfect storm of challenges, from potholes and contentious low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) to the complexities of motorists and the motor trade industry transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs).

Dispatches, with motoring journalist Ginny Buckley, looked into issues that often come up in conversation and impact us all.

The Pothole Problem

Potholes are a significant concern for drivers across the UK. Buckley investigated the scale of the problem and uncovered that local councils spent £56 million on pothole repairs, with over a million pothole reports submitted since the beginning of 2023.

Despite this investment, 40% of councils reported having no dedicated budget for potholes, relying on general road repair funds instead. Of those with a specific budget, nearly a third overspent, sometimes by two or three times the allocated amount.

A key finding was the inconsistency in how councils address pothole repairs. Nearly a third of councils do not publicly state repair criteria, while others specify depths and widths. The most common depth threshold for repair is 4cm, though some councils require potholes to be at least 5cm deep or 30cm wide.

The financial burden on motorists with repairs and vehicle insurance is significant, with the combined compensation bill for pothole damage since early 2023 surpassing £4 million.

One well-known road recovery company attended 27,000 pothole incidents in the past year and estimated that repairs can cost up to £460 per incident for a typical family car. However, compensation claims are often unsuccessful, with councils rejecting 80% of claims due to stringent criteria.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs)

LTNs have sparked plenty of heated debates across the UK. Dispatches found that many councils implemented these schemes without prior monitoring or evaluation.

Since January 2023, 31 local councils issued over £118 million in fines for LTN violations. While intended to reduce traffic and promote active lifestyles, some LTNs have faced backlash. For instance, an LTN in Withington, Greater Manchester, was removed after residents argued it was poorly planned.

The Department for Transport funded these schemes in 2020, aiming to make walking and cycling more accessible. However, around 20% of LTNs introduced have been dismantled, highlighting the need for better planning and community engagement.

Electric Cars

The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is another contentious topic. While historically marketed as cost-effective, recent figures reveal that charging at public stations can be more expensive than petrol.

The cost per mile for petrol is 17 pence, compared to 7 pence for home charging of EVs. However, public fast chargers cost 22 pence per mile due to a VAT disparity: 5% for home energy versus 20% for public charging.

Motor trade dealers are aware that the UK government is pushing for a swift transition to EVs. The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires 80% of new cars sold by 2030 to be zero-emission. This ambitious goal has faced criticism from the motor trade industry. Stellantis, the motoring manufacturers of Vauxhall and Citroën, warned that the ZEV mandate could force it to reconsider its UK operations, potentially affecting over 5,000 jobs.

Conclusion

Britain’s roads are at a crossroads. Potholes, LTNs, and the transition to electric vehicles pose significant challenges for motorists and local authorities.

Effective solutions require consistent criteria for road repairs, better planning and evaluation of traffic schemes, and a balanced approach to the EV transition.

As the country navigates these issues, the voices of drivers and local communities will be crucial in shaping the future of Britain’s roads.