The latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey has revealed a record backlog of carriageway repairs across local roads in England and Wales, highlighting ongoing infrastructure challenges for highway authorities.

The 2026 ALARM survey, which drew responses from 79 percent of local authorities, estimates a £18.62 billion backlog of carriageway repairs, a figure that would take around 12 years to clear at current funding levels. The report also found that the estimated cost of repairing all potholes rose by £1.8 billion last year, despite government funding, prompting concerns over the long-term state of the road network.

While average highway maintenance budgets increased by 17 percent, improvements in road conditions remain marginal. Around half of the local road network is reported to be in good structural condition, with 51 percent having 15 years or more of life remaining. However, one in six miles of local road, more than 32,500 miles, has less than five years’ structural life left, representing a pressing challenge for engineers and planners.

The survey drew stark commentary from industry leaders. Chris Chipchase, Chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance, said the condition of the UK’s roads was “a national disgrace.” Edmund King, President of the AA, added that the report “starkly warns us how much more needs to be done to eradicate this plague of potholes.”

Highway engineers contributing to the survey expressed cautious optimism that recent increases in government and council funding could help stem further decline, but warned that existing funding will not be sufficient to eliminate the backlog.

The ALARM survey is commissioned annually by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) to provide detailed insight into the funding and condition of the local road network, a critical piece of infrastructure supporting daily transport, services, and economic activity.