London’s highway maintenance backlog surpasses £1bn

A new report has warned that the cost of the London’s road maintenance backlog has now reached more than £1 billion.  

According to the fourth annual State of the City report from the London Technical Advisers Group, there is a serious shortfall in funding for highways repairs and maintenance which has increased over several years. This has been exacerbated by the huge fiscal impact of the pandemic on boroughs’ budgets, boroughs faced £2.2 billion in additional spending and lost income last year.

Outside London, all English authorities receive an annual government settlement to look after roads and the local street scene. In 2021/2022 they will receive £1.385 billion for highway maintenance. In contrast, London local authorities receive no funds from the government.

Boroughs are responsible for 95 per cent of London’s road network and are determined to ensure it is fit for purpose, especially for low emissions travel such as walking, running and cycling. People are more likely to use greener active travel options if roads, lanes and pavements are properly maintained, as pedestrians and cyclists are more exposed to the road environment.

London Councils is calling for more long-term support and investment to ensure Londoners and visitors alike can navigate the city’s roads in a safe, enjoyable and efficient way. Specifically, making national funding schemes available to London boroughs would help to address the capital’s massive maintenance backlog. For example, each year Londoners pay around £500 million a year in national Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) but this is spent in the rest of the country rather than being invested in London’s roads.

Mayor Philip Glanville, chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, said:  “London’s highways and roads are a hugely important part of our transport network, providing people with the means to get around the city. During the pandemic, we have seen more Londoners embracing walking and cycling, relying on local roads and cycle lanes. Unfortunately, they are now facing potholes and uneven road surfaces which presents a real challenge for newer cyclists.

“It is alarming that London faces a staggering highway maintenance backlog costing more than £1 billion, which only seems to grow each year due to chronic lack of funding for London boroughs. The cost of the pandemic has weighed heavily on borough budgets and without more support and investment, the repairs and maintenance funding shortfall will only continue, risking a decline in road safety and quality year on year. All road users, including car owners, taxi drivers and businesses share these concerns.

“Good roads have an important role to play in tackling the climate emergency. If we do not provide safe, pleasant and efficient ways to walk and cycle in our cities, we will miss vital opportunities to reduce transport pollution. Londoners are looking to boroughs and central government for a long-term, sustainable solution to the highways maintenance funding shortfall. Beginning with the return of national Vehicle Excise Duty to London would be a helpful move, especially as many car owners in London think this funding is still available to maintain our roads.”