Thanks Allan, very informative newsletter as usual.

It would be helpful to look a little more closely at these statistics to better understand the underlying trends and context. While organisations such as the AA and RAC provide valuable insight, it is also worth recognising that they have a commercial interest in highlighting concerns around road condition, which can influence the way data is presented.
To provide a more balanced and evidence-based picture, it may be beneficial to consider complementary data from local authorities and trunk road operators. This could include metrics such as year-on-year defect rates, inspection frequencies, response and repair times, and the scale of planned maintenance programmes. Examining these datasets alongside those from external bodies would allow for a more rounded assessment of network condition and service performance.
A broader evidence base would not only improve transparency but also support a more informed discussion on how road networks are managed, maintained, and prioritised within available funding constraints.