The UK government has announced plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle the growing pothole problem on Britain’s roads. Last week, Keir Starmer unveiled the UK Government AI Opportunities Action Plan, which includes a plan to use AI to identify potholes before they form. The aim is for AI to spot potential potholes early, speeding up repairs and cutting costs. However, many drivers are not convinced by this solution, according to recent research.
An Auto Express survey found that just 46% of drivers support using AI to detect potholes before they form. The majority of drivers, however, would rather the government focus on fixing the potholes that already exist.
Potholes are becoming an increasing issue. The RAC reported a 20% rise in pothole-related breakdowns in the last quarter of 2024. Additionally, the AA found that vehicle damage from potholes cost £579 million in 2024, up from £474 million the previous year, marking a 22% increase. To address this, the government has pledged £7 million in funding for AI projects to accelerate its use.
AI applications are already being used to help other industries, such as bakeries and farming, and now the government plans to use AI to predict where potholes are likely to form. The idea is that early detection will make repairs faster and cheaper.
Despite these plans, 26% of drivers surveyed oppose the use of AI for potholes and feel the government should focus on repairing existing damage.
The government’s initiative is not the first to incorporate AI for road repairs. A crowdsourcing app called Stan allows drivers to report road surface issues using AI-powered videos and images recorded on their smartphones.
In Surrey, AI is already being used to detect potholes. Dashcam cameras in council vehicles scan roads for potholes, automatically recording and prioritising those in need of urgent repair. This will reduce the need for manual inspections, saving time and improving safety.
The government has committed to repairing an additional one million potholes per year and investing £500 million into local road maintenance for 2025-2026. However, critics argue that this amount is a small fraction of the £16 billion needed to fully address the pothole repair backlog.
To ensure funds are spent wisely, 25% of the budget will be withheld until local authorities demonstrate proactive maintenance, moving away from the current "patchwork" approach.
The RAC also revealed that repairing a car damaged by a pothole typically costs around £460, 43% more than the average £260 paid out by councils in compensation claims in 2023.
