ESSEX’S road network may be 5,000 miles long, but there is a sense that the general quality of road surfaces is in decline.

Potholes are not just a bugbear for commuters – they can be costly and dangerous too.

Research from the Gazette last year showed that, in 2021, only 16 out of 1,306 claims made by road users for pothole-related vehicle damage resulted in a pay-out.

But the numbers show the decline of Essex’s road network is not simply a myth: less money is being spent on roads, and the number of potholes being repaired by Essex Highways is falling along with it.

Figures released by Essex Highways following Freedom of Information (FOI) requests showed whilst the number of road defects repaired has fallen, the number of defects left unrepaired has risen.

The below graph shows how the figures have moved in opposing directions, with the red column increasing year on year whilst the green column decreases.

Gazette: Rising and falling – whilst the number of unrepaired potholes is on the up, the number of road defects being repaired since 2018 has fallen considerablyRising and falling – whilst the number of unrepaired potholes is on the up, the number of road defects being repaired since 2018 has fallen considerably (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

The numbers of repairs being carried out, however, has been greatly affected by the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the subsequent rise in inflation brought on by the Russian Ukraine War.

The below graph shows how Essex Highways’ spending has fallen by £25million since the 2017-18 financial year.

Gazette: Downward trend – the amount of money being spent on Essex's road network is decreasing as the cost of inflation starts to affect the authorityDownward trend – the amount of money being spent on Essex's road network is decreasing as the cost of inflation starts to affect the authority (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

With the authority now totally reliant on the pothole fund provided by the Department for Transport, Essex County Council is now only able to invest £36 million per year of the £77 million required to maintain the assets.

And it's not just roads which are having less money spent on them – pavements are feeling the pinch too.

Gazette: Treacherous under food – though the amount of money being spent on Essex's pavements is higher than it was in 2017-18, it is half of the total spent in 2019-20Treacherous under food – though the amount of money being spent on Essex's pavements is higher than it was in 2017-18, it is half of the total spent in 2019-20 (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Although more money is being spend on pavements by Essex County Council than in 2018-18, the number is still half the amount being spent in 2019-20.

It was then that spending on pavements was as high as £8.6million.

Speaking about the issue, an Essex County spokesman defended the statistics.

He said: “We look after 5,000 miles of roads, the equivalent of travelling overland from Chelmsford to Beijing.

"It is one of the largest road networks in the country, with a mix of urban and rural roads, which each bring their own challenges.

“When a defect is reported to us, we send an inspector out

“The defect is then recorded on our risk register and given a risk factor score as described on our website. Due to our limited resources, we must prioritise our work and fix the higher-risk issues first.

“For more information on our repair criteria and road maintenance strategy, please visit: bit.ly/3ZrWhOE.”