“National embarrassment”: £15.6 billion pothole backlog across England.  
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has branded roads in Oldham as a “national embarrassment” as he called on the government to bring forward the funds needed to clear the national road repair backlog. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Oldham’s roads are in the worst condition for years.  We’re spending a fraction of the money needed on repairs and naturally, things are getting worse.”

According to the National Audit Office (NAO) the growing backlog of road repairs stands at £15.6 billion.  The NAO also highlighted that there are “significant gaps” in the Department for Transport’s knowledge about the state of our roads. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Unless the government urgently brings forward the funding we need to get to grips with our roads, the cost of clearing the backlog will continue to rise and the state of our roads will continue to be a national embarrassment.”

National Audit Office: Condition and maintenance of roads in England (July 2024)
The condition and maintenance of local roads in England – NAO report