Urgent road maintenance funding is needed to address worsening potholes that endanger tyre safety. TyreSafe urges regular tyre checks to help drivers reduce risks from poor road conditions.
TyreSafe Supports Call for Urgent Action Following ALARM Survey Findings
The UK’s road safety charity dedicated to tyre safety, TyreSafe, is calling for urgent action made by the Asphalt Industry Alliance following the release of the 2025 Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey. This survey highlights the worsening state of England and Wales‘ road network. With a staggering backlog of carriageway repairs now reaching almost £17 billion and roads only being resurfaced once every 93 years on average, TyreSafe stresses the impact on road safety. This, particularly for tyres, cannot be ignored.
As a member of the Pothole Partnership, TyreSafe is working alongside key stakeholders to address the growing crisis of road surface degradation. The latest ALARM findings show that over half (52%) of local roads have less than 15 years of structural life remaining, with 12% likely to require maintenance in the next year alone. These deteriorating conditions present an increasing risk to road users, with potholes and road defects directly contributing to tyre damage, increased repair costs, and, most worryingly, higher risks of incidents.
Serious Hazard to Tyres
Potholes and poorly maintained roads pose a serious hazard to tyres, which are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road. Striking a pothole at speed or with an incorrect tyre pressure can lead to severe damage, including sidewall bulges, tread separation, and even dangerous blowouts. The cost of filling 1.9 million potholes in the past year alone, at a cost of £137.4 million, underlines the scale of the problem.
Beyond the financial burden on drivers, local authorities, and insurers, TyreSafe emphasises the safety implications. Drivers who unknowingly continue to use damaged tyres are at heightened risk of reduced grip, increased stopping distances, and loss of control, especially in wet conditions. This is particularly concerning for young and inexperienced drivers who may not yet have developed the habit of routinely checking their tyres.
Sustainable Road Maintenance
TyreSafe supports the ALARM report’s call for a fundamental shift in the Government’s approach to local road funding.
As David Giles, Chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance, highlights, “the short-term allocation of funds has failed to improve the resilience of the road network. TyreSafe supports the call for a sustained and ring-fenced investment strategy that enables local authorities to implement long-term maintenance plans rather than continuing to patch up problems with short-term fixes.”
Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “The findings of this year’s ALARM survey make for stark reading. The deterioration of our roads is not just an inconvenience – it’s a direct threat to road safety. Tyres are particularly vulnerable to pothole damage, and without urgent action, more and more road users will find themselves at risk.”
“We hope that policymakers commit to long-term, sustainable road maintenance funding to protect both the infrastructure and the safety of drivers. In the meantime, TyreSafe continues to advocate for regular tyre checks, ensuring that drivers are aware of any damage before it leads to a potentially catastrophic failure.”
Educating Road Users
While TyreSafe supports the push for systemic change, its core mission is to educate road users to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their vehicles. TyreSafe encourages all road users to carry out the following essential tyre safety checks:
- Air Pressure: Inflate tyres to the correct pressure per the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Condition: Check for visible damage, including cuts, bulges, or cracks in the sidewalls.
- Tread Depth: Ensure tyres meet the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
Regular checks can help drivers spot early signs of pothole damage and take appropriate action before a dangerous situation arises.
By raising awareness of the importance of regular tyre checks and what road users should do in the event they experience damage resulting from hitting a pothole, TyreSafe aims to ensure that road users can better mitigate the risks posed by driving on poorly maintained tyres on the UK’s roads.
