British drivers think UK roads the ‘worst in Europe’
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Three-quarters of drivers think Britain’s pothole-ridden roads are worse than those in mainland Europe, new research reveals.
As many as 72 per cent of motorists with experience driving on the continent believe UK roads are inferior, according to RAC Europe.
Just 8 per cent of respondents maintained that British tarmac is in better nick. The proliferation of potholes has become a source of frustration and great expense among UK motorists in recent years.
The situation has become so severe that the likes of Sir Rod Stewart took matters into his own hands by carrying out DIY repairs near his home in Harlow, Essex. Sir Rod, 78, had complained he couldn’t drive his Ferrari over the local stretch so filled the holes in himself in August last year.
It comes as analysis by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) for The Daily Telegraph showed that council spending on pothole repairs had plummeted from £144 million in 2015 to just £96 million last year.
This was mirrored by a drop in the number of potholes fixed with only 1.4 million filled last year, compared to 2.7 million in 2015.
According to the research, 40 per cent of drivers felt the experience abroad is more pleasant, with only a quarter (24 per cent) saying they prefer getting behind the wheel in the UK.
The research also found that 62 per cent agreed there was less litter on mainland European roads, with just 7 per cent claiming British roads were cleaner.Easy to understand road signs are the only aspect of UK roads deemed superior, with 38 per cent saying the signage is more straightforward. But nearly half (49 per cent) thought there is little or no difference, and 13 per cent said they find foreign road signs easier to understand.
