The government’s announcement on 14 April makes it clear: councils must show visible results from pothole funding or risk losing up to a third of next year’s highways budget.
Local authorities already coping with rising costs and ageing infrastructure face growing pressure to maximise every pound spent on road maintenance. The shift forces them to move beyond repeated patching to tackling root causes of pothole formation.
Ironwork defects cause 20% of potholes
SHIMPAC® highlights ironwork failure as a major, often overlooked contributor to potholes. Around one fifth of potholes stem from defective ironwork or poor ironwork seating. Movement, misalignment and water ingress create weak points in the carriageway. Water penetration accelerates surface breakdown, especially during freeze-thaw cycles and under modern traffic loads.
Correctly supported covers and frames reduce this damage. Improving ironwork installation can prevent many potholes from forming in the first place.
Precision seating reduces movement
SHIMPAC® offers an engineered ironwork seating and levelling system designed to eliminate movement and deliver millimetre-level alignment. It withstands shear and compression forces caused by traffic, keeping ironwork stable and properly seated.
This prevents ironwork from becoming a weak point in the carriageway, addressing a root cause of pothole development.
Faster repairs, fewer repeat visits
For UK councils, SHIMPAC® provides both immediate and long-term benefits. Installation is faster with lower labour demands, reducing disruption and allowing more repairs within existing budgets.
Over time, stabilising ironwork cuts emergency call outs and repeat repairs to the same spots. Councils can redirect resources to preventative maintenance and wider network improvements rather than recurring patching.
Durability drives value for money
Barry Andrews, SHIMPAC® Operations Manager, said: “At a time when councils must prove value for money, durability, prevention and whole life cost are crucial. Addressing the 20% of potholes caused by ironwork defects is a quick and cost-effective step towards better roads and better use of taxpayer funds.”
This approach supports compliance with government demands for measurable outcomes under the new funding rules, helping local authorities to protect and make the most of their highways allocations amid rising pressures.
