BP there was a report published I think it was in NATURE about 10 years ago that said in the west country with its high rain fall and warm climate that if the roads were not maintained or heavily used over 70% of them would become unsuitable for wheeled vehicles in less than ten years. blocked drains, fallen trees and limbs, plant overgrowth, subsidence, landslip, erosion and undermining, leave mould cover etc, add a couple of big floods and bingo the sw is back to preindustrial revolution levels of transport. iE Boat, Foot or Gee Gee
Cant help but this of the joy the folks in the west country would feel to know they are cut off from bloody London and the damn home counties