The ‘pothole plague’ in the UK ‘is as prevalent as ever’, according to The RACMap showing where potholes are impacting roads the most

The true state of roads in the West Midlands has been revealed with new pothole data.

Breakdown firm RAC says its new research shows that the “pothole plague” in the UK “is as prevalent as ever”.

In Birmingham, 88 miles, or six per cent of roads, are in ‘red’ (poor) condition.

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A quarter of the city’s streets (25 per cent) are in ‘amber’ condition – meaning they need attention.

And 69 per cent of Birmingham’s roads (1,007 miles) are in ‘green’ condition.

In Wolverhampton, just eight miles (two per cent) of roads are in the ‘red’.

76 miles (18 per cent) are in ‘amber’, and 337 (80 per cent) are in ‘green’.

The local authority with most of it roads in a red condition is Derbyshire – with 38 per cent.

Potholes in Wolverhampton(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Our pothole-related breakdown data is a very clear reflection of the true state of the UK’s roads – and it sadly shows the pothole plague is as prevalent as ever.

“Suffering a breakdown due to wear and tear caused by the poor quality of roads is frustrating beyond belief, particularly as the average cost of repairing anything more than a puncture is £460.

“The cost of motoring is high enough already without having to fork out extra money to get your car back on the road.

“Drivers shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of these costs – they’re only having to because the roads have been allowed to get into such a dire state.”

The RAC recently revealed that it dealt with nearly 9,500 pothole-related breakdowns – damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs or distorted wheels – between January to March this year.

That figure was more than double the amount between October and December last year, and almost a fifth more than the same time last year.

The state of West Midlands roads

The data below is based on how many call-outs The RAC had for pothole-related problems this year.

Birmingham

  • 88 miles (six per cent) in ‘red’ (poor) condition
  • 365 miles (25 per cent) in ‘amber’ condition
  • 1,007 miles (69 per cent) in ‘green’ condition

Wolverhampton

  • 8 miles (two per cent) in ‘red’ (poor) condition
  • 76 miles (18 per cent) in ‘amber’ condition
  • 337 miles (80 per cent) in ‘green’ condition

Walsall

  • 5 miles (one per cent) in ‘red’ (poor) condition
  • 69 miles (14 per cent) in ‘amber’ condition
  • 416 miles (85 per cent) in ‘green’ condition

Sandwell

  • 9 miles (two per cent) in ‘red’ (poor) condition
  • 98 miles (21 per cent) in ‘amber’ condition
  • 358 miles (77 per cent) in ‘green’ condition

Solihull

  • 10 miles (two per cent) in ‘red’ (poor) condition
  • 69 miles (14 per cent) in ‘amber’ condition
  • 416 miles (84 per cent) in ‘green’ condition

Warwickshire

  • 92 miles (four per cent) in ‘red’ (poor) condition
  • 551 miles (24 per cent) in ‘amber’ condition
  • 1,629 (71 per cent) in ‘green’ condition

Worcestershire

  • 92 miles (four per cent) in ‘red’ (poor) condition
  • 597 miles (26 per cent) in ‘amber’ condition
  • 1,609 miles (70 per cent) in ‘green’ condition

Staffordshire

  • 270 miles (eight per cent) in ‘red’ (poor) condition
  • 945 miles (28 per cent) in ‘amber’ condition
  • 2,160 miles (64 per cent) in ‘green’ condition