Councils are delaying works on road and pothole repairs and struggling to keep streetlights switched on due to spiralling inflation and the increase in energy costs.

The LGA and ADEPT warn that the Government must cover increased costs for councils – or risk roads condition getting worse and reductions in other services

New analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association for Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) has found that global pressures, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as increasing inflation and a shortage of materials have all provided the “perfect storm for councils”.

And they’re warning that the Government must cover the resultant increased costs for councils – or risk roads condition getting worse and reductions in other services.

The cost of road maintenance has particularly surged, with a number of councils seeing a 22% increase in the cost of repairing a pothole, relaying a road surface and other maintenance costs.

This is due in no small part to Russia’s war in Ukraine; prior to the Russian invasion, an estimated 60% of bitumen, a material used to repair roads across the country, was sourced from Russia and sold onto the European market. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, councils have had to ration the supply of the material and source it from other markets, pushing up costs and delaying road repairs.

Local councils are already facing a significant road repair backlog, with latest estimates suggesting it would take them 10 years and £12bn to bring local roads up to scratch. These increased cost pressures could risk that backlog getting longer, with vital works having to be delayed.

Councils are also reporting that increasing costs for electricity, steel, lighting and cement are all impacting on their budgets. As well as this, areas preparing for winter have been hit by an increase of 60% in the cost of salt.

Cllr David Renard, transport spokesperson for the LGA, said: “Only with adequate long-term funding – to cover increased cost pressures and invest in local services – and the right powers, can councils deliver for our communities, tackle the climate emergency, and level up all parts of the country.”

The AA responded to the warning, saying the cost-of-living crisis was “battering everyone and it is no surprise that local councils are struggling to make ends meet”.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy, added: “Roads maintenance is expensive, and the price of materials is only making the situation worse.

“Plagues of potholes, streets with worn-out road markings and hedges covering important road signs seem to increase daily. Warnings over the price of salt will worry road users that a harsh winter could cut them and their communities off from accessing vital services.”

But he warned that rising costs “should not be an excuse for squeezing more money out of motorists to fill the financial hole” and highlighted estimates for council revenue during the current financial year that point to surpluses of more than £1bn from parking, including fines, and approaching £95m from bus lane enforcement.

“And that is before they haul in the millions of pounds from the moving traffic violation enforcement powers they have been given. Whilst understanding the increase in prices of materials, there should be adequate funds from traffic and parking revenue to fill those holes.

“Both candidates for Conservative Party Leader have said they want to advance the ‘Levelling Up’ project should they become Prime Minister next week, but road users would just accept the tarmac being level.”