The UK’s roads, already in poor condition, are expected to get even worse as drivers face an increasing number of potholes this summer, which is being called the hottest on record. Potholes are typically associated with cold or wet weather, but prolonged heat can also cause significant damage to road surfaces. The RAC, a UK-based motoring organization, explains that intense sunlight and high temperatures can gradually break down the bitumen that holds asphalt together, making roads more brittle and prone to cracking. Once cracks form, traffic and rain can quickly turn them into serious potholes. This year’s heat has compounded existing road problems. After a wet winter, only half of England and Wales’ road network was in good condition, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance. The summer’s sequence of heatwaves, with temperatures exceeding 38°C in some areas, has further damaged the roads. Mike Hansford, from the Road Surface Treatments Association, noted that the combination of extreme summer heat and wetter, colder winters is accelerating road deterioration. Scientists from the UK’s Met Office have linked these extreme temperatures to human-induced climate change, with such heat events now 130 times more likely to occur due to global warming. The effects of extreme heat are not limited to roads. Railway networks have also been impacted, with hot, dry weather causing soil in embankments to shrink, leading to timetable changes and slower train services. High temperatures can even cause railway tracks to buckle, which may have contributed to two derailments earlier this year. Insurance companies have also seen a surge in claims related to subsidence—when soil shifts and causes structural damage—due to the dry conditions. These issues are expected to persist until sustained rainfall restores soil moisture levels. Drivers in the UK are increasingly frustrated by the state of the roads. According to an RAC report, 51% of motorists consider the poor condition of roads to be their biggest concern, and 83% say they encounter potholes on most trips. Simon Williams of the RAC attributes these concerns to both a long-term lack of investment in road maintenance and the worsening conditions from a wet winter followed by a hot summer. However, he also noted that the government has taken steps to address the issue, including increasing funding for road maintenance and setting new requirements for local councils to develop long-term solutions. Under new guidelines, councils could lose up to a third of their road maintenance funding if they fail to demonstrate progress in improving infrastructure.