Councils Urged to Undergo Mandatory Training to Prevent Potholes

The Government is being urged to introduce compulsory training for local authorities that fail to carry out regular road maintenance, in an effort to prevent potholes from forming.

The RAC and the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) have written to Roads Minister Keir Mather, highlighting the issue as Pothole Prevention Week (8–14 September) gets underway. Both organisations want councils to better understand the benefits of low-cost preventative treatments that protect road surfaces from water damage and extend their lifespan.

The RSTA says many councils overlook simple measures, such as surface dressing, which can be applied from year five after a road is laid. Instead, authorities often wait until potholes appear and then replace the surface layer after 10 to 15 years — a far more costly option.

Data from the Department for Transport, analysed by the RAC, shows half of England’s local highway authorities carried out no preventative maintenance on A roads in 2023/24. For B, C, and unclassified roads, more than a third (36%) did nothing.

The decline in preventative work is stark: just 34 million square metres of surface dressing was applied in 2023, compared with 64 million in 2012.

Industry leaders argue this is due to misconceptions, outdated experiences, or a lack of awareness. However, the RSTA stresses that all modern treatments meet strict British and European standards, with contractors certified under National Highways’ schemes. Long-term studies show these treatments can last more than two decades.

Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, criticised councils’ reliance on “reactive only” maintenance:

“This approach is particularly expensive, as it means only a small proportion of the road network is actually being treated. It’s one of the main reasons we have such high volumes of potholes and deteriorating roads.”

Mike Hansford, RSTA chief executive, echoed this, calling for Government-mandated training:

“With many experienced engineers retiring, vital knowledge is being lost. Current engineering courses focus too much on building roads and not enough on maintaining them. Without better training, councils risk making poor, costly, and environmentally damaging decisions.”

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) also weighed in. James Barwise, the RHA’s policy lead, called for more sustainable and long-term repairs:

“Poorly maintained roads increase business costs. We want local authorities equipped with the latest technology for longer-lasting, cost-effective maintenance. The Department for Transport must work with councils to speed up these improvements.”