An intersection in Kingston upon Hull, 2022. It looked brand new in 2019:
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I’ve already had the perception that no matter where I look, British roads look poor-quality and depressing. Do they use shitty asphalt and road paint, what is making them weather so fast? Is it the rain the UK is so famous for???
Vehicles have gotten a lot heavier in the last decade. Plus those busses in the 2019 pic. Heavier vehicles wear down roads fast
It’s also possible that around 2019 that street only got a slurry seal top coat, which buys a few years for the road’s lifespan. Actually repaving a road is expensive, noisy, and disruptive, which is why it’s only done every ~15 years.
Also, utilities (comm lines, water, electrical, sewage, gas, etc) are under roads. If the utility line goes bad and needs replacement, guess what? The road’s getting dug up and the repair is gonna be just good enough for the inspector to sign off on it
Vehicles have gotten heavier in my country too, but the roads aren’t degrading anywhere near this fast.
Someone elsewhere suggested road surfacing companies are basically doing planned obsolescence by cheapening out, so the local government gives them more contracts, while also being unable to pay for better work due to austerity.
Also just a lot more both in terms of absolute size and in terms of per capita.