Report Claims Pothole Repair Blackhole Is £12bn

FIGURES from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) have revealed the extent of the nation’s pothole crisis, with a report claiming the "catch-up" cost of getting roads back into reasonable a condition has soared to £12 billion. The total is an increase on the £10.5 billion figure reported last year, and remains high despite more than two million potholes being filled in England and Wales over the last 12 months. This was despite a 20% decrease in the shortfall in annual road maintenance budgets reported by local authorities, with the shortfall reducing from an average of £6.2 million to £5.1 million per authority in England.

Family Favourite Gets A Refresh

FORD has taken the wraps off its refreshed Focus. The car, which remains a firm favourite with both private buyers and business users, gains a more distinctive nose and a technology boost. Expected to hit the showrooms later this year, the Focus adopts Ford’s new exterior nose treatment – a version of which has already been adapted for the recently refreshed Fiesta supermini.

ReLive: Frankfurt motor show 2013

If you missed any of our live coverage of the 2013 IAA Frankfurt motor show, fear not as here is a comprehesive list of the good, the bad, and the ugly (naming no names) from the show: Audi Audi Sport Quattro concept: what is the future of Audi design? Audi turns the world upside-down Photoset: Audi Sport quattro concept BMW What's going on with the i3's IP? Bentley New Bentley stand channels Prada Brabus The 6-wheeled Brabus G-Wagen edition Bugatti Bugatti Veyron 'Pimp My Heritage' edition Citroën Citroën Cactus – The bright future of Interior Design Recline like a goddess Nothing prickly about this Cactus Dacia Honest design bites the dust(er) Infiniti Video: Alfonso Albaisa – The Infiniti Q30 concept Jaguar Jaguar C-X17 concept: Right idea, slightly rushed Photoset: Jaguar C-X17 concept Lexus Lexus LF-NX concept – a blip or jumping the shark?