Drivers warned to brace for more potholes as councils run out of cash
People told to prepare for more dangerous damage as heavier truck traffic wrecks our roads
DRIVERS were warned to brace for more potholes as heavier truck traffic wrecks roads and councils run out of cash.
The weight of goods in trucks was up five per cent to 1.7billion tons last year, causing surfaces to crumble.
The Local Government Association said the network in England and Wales is underfunded.
Spokesman Martin Tett said 2017 will be the last chance to get on top of repairs before the bill soars to £14billion by 2019.
He said: “Motorists should brace themselves for a surge in potholes.
Our local roads face an unprecedented funding crisis and the latest spike in lorries could push our network over the edge.”
Councils in England spent £4.4billion on highways and transport last year.
The DfT has promised £6billion for local roads over three years plus £50million annually for potholes.
The LGA wants an extra £1billion a year by investing 2p per litre of existing fuel duty.
Martin said: “It is unfair the Government allocates 40 times more to maintaining national roads, which it controls, than local roads.”