“UK roads are a national scandal”: AA president warns drivers are being “short changed” as potholes, ‘smart’ motorways and roadworks hit breaking point

• Britain needs a ‘Champion of the Roads’

• ‘Our country without roads is nothing’

• 'The Logbook’ YouTube exclusive interview reveals all

• ‘Massive scandal’ of ‘smart’ motorways’ AA president

• ‘Drivers feel more squeezed than ever’ Rob Cubitt, Cubitt Cars

Britain’s roads have become the “number one issue” for drivers, businesses and the wider economy, warns Edmund King OBE, AA president, saying motorists are paying billions into the Treasury while too many roads remain dangerous, badly repaired and roadworks poorly coordinated.

Speaking on The Logbook, the YouTube channel sponsored by AA Cars, Edmund King was interviewed by Rob Cubitt, managing director of Cubitt Cars, for an episode titled “Why are the UK’s roads so shocking?” The conversation covered the state of Britain’s roads, potholes, smart motorways, roadworks, driver taxes and the impact on motorists and dealers.

King said the country risks treating roads as a “periphery issue” when, in reality, they are fundamental to everyday life and the economy.

Edmund King OBE, AA president, said: “Our country without roads is nothing. Ninety per cent of freight goes by road and 86 per cent of passenger journeys are by road. If we didn’t have the roads, the country would be at a standstill. There would be no goods in our shops, no exports, and people wouldn’t get to work. This isn’t a periphery issue — this is the number one issue.”

Potholes

On potholes, King said drivers were paying the price for a failed “patch and run” approach, where holes are filled badly and return within weeks.

“It is the number one transport issue for 96% of drivers. At The AA we see it first-hand. Last year our patrols were called out to 617,000 pothole-related incidents — punctures, damaged wheels, steering and suspension damage. For drivers, it is the worst feeling: dark nights, wet roads, puddles, you can’t see the pothole, and then you hear the bang.”

Not rocket science

King called for councils and central government to move away from reactive repairs and towards proper road maintenance, resurfacing, and better use of technology.

“You can’t just keep filling in holes if the road has gone. You need to resurface that section of road. In the long term that is more cost-effective because you are called out less often, there are fewer compensation claims and the repair lasts longer. It is not rocket science to fix the roads, and yet we are doing a bad job of it.”

Drivers squeezed

Rob Cubitt said the state of the roads had left many motorists questioning where their money was going.

Rob Cubitt, managing director of Cubitt Cars, said: “Drivers feel more squeezed than ever. Fuel is up, vehicle tax is up, the cost of everything is up — and yet the roads we are driving on seem to be getting worse. People can’t help but ask: where is all our money going?”

Cubitt added:

“We all feel angry about these things, but hearing the facts makes it clear that drivers have every right to be angry. We are paying more to be motorists, but we are not seeing the standard of roads that motorists deserve.”

Massive scandal

The discussion also addressed smart motorways, which King described as a “massive scandal” after emergency refuge areas were moved much further apart than in the original design without consultation.

King said: “This is the massive scandal of ‘smart’ motorways. The original concept had refuge areas much closer together. Then the goalposts were moved. If you break down between those refuge areas, you are a sitting duck. You are at the mercy of technology spotting your vehicle, at the mercy of a red X appearing, and at the mercy of another driver obeying it. Crashes happen — and they have happened.”

King said The AA had campaigned with families affected by ‘smart’ motorway deaths and had pushed government to stop new schemes and add more emergency refuge areas, but warned the underlying concept remained flawed.

“For me, the concept is still wrong. If you are relying on technology, that technology has got to be precise and effective. It is not. Why are we putting drivers in that situation? Because they have cut corners on costs.”

No coordination

On roadworks, King said too many schemes showed a lack of coordination between councils and utility companies, with newly resurfaced roads sometimes dug up again weeks later.

“It is that lack of coordination that is so frustrating. A road gets resurfaced and then the gas or water companies come along and dig it up again. Local authorities have powers they can use, including lane rental systems, but too often they are not used effectively.”

Cubitt said drivers were also frustrated by temporary traffic lights and repeated roadworks on the same routes.

“When motorists hit three or four sets of roadworks on one commute or see traffic lights left up over a weekend with no one working, it is easy to understand why people get angry. It feels inefficient, and it feels like nobody is championing the driver.”Roads Champion

King said Britain needs stronger strategic leadership on transport and cars and a clear “champion of the roads”.

“When I wake up in the morning, I think: what can I do to improve the life of drivers? We don’t seem to have that person working out how to make our roads better today and every day. That is what is needed — a champion of the roads.”

The full interview, “Why are the UK’s roads so shocking?”, is available on The Logbook YouTube channel.

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Q&A

Why are UK roads being described as a national scandal?

Edmund King OBE, AA president, says roads have become the “number one issue” for drivers, businesses and the economy, with motorists paying billions into the Treasury while many roads remain dangerous, poorly repaired and disrupted by badly coordinated roadworks.

How important are roads to the UK economy?

King says roads are fundamental to national life, with 90% of freight and 86% of passenger journeys going by road. Without a reliable road network, he warns, the country would effectively come to a standstill.

What is the biggest transport concern for drivers?

According to King, potholes are the number one transport issue for 96% of drivers. The AA attended 617,000 pothole-related incidents last year, including punctures, damaged wheels, and steering and suspension problems.

What does the AA want done about potholes?

The AA is calling for councils and central government to move away from short-term “patch and run” repairs and invest in proper resurfacing, preventative maintenance and better use of technology to make repairs last longer.

Why are drivers feeling short changed?

Rob Cubitt, managing director of Cubitt Cars, says motorists are paying more through fuel, vehicle tax and wider motoring costs, but are not seeing the standard of roads they deserve.

What did Edmund King say about smart motorways?

King described smart motorways as a “massive scandal”, warning that emergency refuge areas were moved much further apart than in the original concept, leaving broken-down drivers exposed between places of safety.

What are the concerns about roadworks?

King and Cubitt highlighted poor coordination between councils and utility companies, with roads sometimes resurfaced and then dug up again soon afterwards. Drivers are also frustrated by repeated roadworks, temporary lights and schemes left in place when no work is happening.

What is a ‘Champion of the Roads’?

King says Britain needs stronger strategic leadership and a dedicated voice focused every day on improving roads, reducing disruption and making life better for drivers.

Where can people watch the full interview?

The full interview, “Why are the UK’s roads so shocking?”, is available on The Logbook YouTube channel, sponsored by AA Cars.