Author: Nik Berg
Britain’s roads are going to pot. That’s the universal conclusion of the nation’s drivers, who are overwhelmingly convinced that the condition of the road network is worse than ever.
In a Hagerty survey which saw more than 1,000 drivers put forward their opinions, an extraordinary 98 per cent of respondents agreed that the UK’s roads are in a state of disrepair.
90 per cent of those surveyed said that their local roads are worse than they were 12 months ago and almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of drivers polled said they had experienced damage as a result of hitting a pothole. Just one per cent of drivers thought the roads had actually improved.
More than half of drivers told us they have reported potholes to their local councils, but a paltry seven per cent agreed that their local authority dealt with the issue quickly.
It’s no surprise, then, to hear that the condition of Britain’s roads is causing serious consternation among drivers. More than half (54 per cent) said they were “anxious” and 78 per cent reported being “frustrated”, with 50 per cent also saying that they were “distracted” by poor roads.
The Hagerty Pothole survey also showed that while, in general, the concerns were equally shared by owners of classic cars and non-classics alike, those who drive specialist or older vehicles are especially wary of taking their cars out due to the state of the roads. In fact, some 93 per cent of classic owners acknowledged that they felt “nervous” about driving their cars on the roads in their current condition.
Respondents described the UK’s roads as a “disgrace” and “dangerous”, while driving has become even more tiring as drivers have to “constantly look at the road for potholes.” “I now concentrate more on potholes and therefore less on traffic and pedestrians,” confessed one respondent.
Potholes are worse in winter as water seeps into the tarmac and expands as it freezes, causing further damage. Yet in other countries, with even more harsh weather, the problems are quickly dealt with. “Our roads are generally dreadful. (I) Recently drove to Switzerland and their roads are far, far better even though they have to contend with far more extreme weather conditions,” reported one respondent. “UK roads are the worst in Europe. When you take into consideration Alpine countries that experience extreme temperature conditions, why are their roads better than ours? I spend a lot of time driving to and from Austria all year round. They experience constant extreme temperature conditions all year round, yet their roads are far superior to ours. The UK government have lost the plot,” added another.
“It’s clear that Britain’s drivers are fed up with the condition of our roads. As champions of the classic car hobby it’s even more concerning for us to hear that the state of disrepair is making owners nervous to even take their cars out,” comments Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty UK.
What are your thoughts on the state of the UK’s roads right now? Let us know below.
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