FILLING in all Britain’s potholes would cost a staggering £18.6billion, according to research.
Half of roads are in bad shape, which campaigners called a “disgrace”.
It would take 12 years to bring highways back to a proper condition, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA).
It found only 51 per cent of local roads in England and Wales are rated in good shape.
On average, they are now being fully resurfaced just once every 97 years.
Councils filled 1.9 million potholes in the past year but experts say patch-up fixes are failing to keep pace with the damage.
AIA chair David Giles said: “Road users would agree the condition of our local roads has become a national disgrace.”
He added: “It will be some time before the impact of increased funding levels, if fully delivered, will be noticed.”
Local road maintenance funding in England is £1.6billion this financial year — up £500million.
Ministers also pledged £7.3billion over four years for council repairs.
However AA boss Edmund King said record wet weather and ageing surfaces have left roads resembling “patchwork obstacle courses”.
The Department for Transport said: “We’re already seeing progress, with 15 per cent more pothole‑prevention works carried out in 2025 compared to 2024 and reversing a nearly decade-long decline in road repair works.”
