Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called on councils to prioritise repairing pothole-plagued roads, citing the significant risks and costs associated with damaged infrastructure.
Sir Keir’s remarks came as the Department for Transport (DfT) revealed funding allocations for local authorities in England for the next financial year. The Prime Minister emphasised the urgency of action, stating that broken roads not only endanger lives but also impose hefty repair bills on families, sometimes amounting to thousands of pounds.
“Broken roads can risk lives and cost families hundreds if not thousands of pounds on repairs,” he said. “Through our Plan for Change, we’re determined to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking people and improve living standards. That’s why we’re giving councils funding to repair our roads and get Britain moving again – with a clear expectation that they get on with the job.”
Funding breakdown
The government announced more than £1.6 billion in local road maintenance funding for 2025/26, representing a £500 million uplift from the previous year. This increase is expected to repair approximately seven million potholes. The funding has been distributed as follows:
- North West, North East, and Yorkshire and Humber: £327 million
- East Midlands and West Midlands: £372 million
- East of England: £244 million
- South East and London: £378 million
- South West: £300 million
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the investment as “massive” and said it would empower councils to undertake extensive road and infrastructure improvements.
“This is massive,” Ms Alexander told the PA news agency. “It’s up to councils how they use the money. They can fill potholes, resurface roads, improve pavements, or repair bridges. I’m confident the public will start to see an improvement in the state of the roads.”
Holding councils accountable
To ensure the funds are utilised effectively, a quarter of the increased funding will be withheld until councils demonstrate tangible progress. The DfT emphasised the importance of proactive maintenance, urging highway authorities to address potential issues before potholes form.
The government’s announcement has been met with widespread approval, but concerns remain about the long-term sustainability of road repairs.
Reaction from key stakeholders
AA President Edmund King welcomed the funding, describing it as a “significant cash injection.”
“With most journeys starting and ending on local roads, it is vital to restore the structural integrity of the streets we live on,” Mr King said. “We urge councils to focus on permanent and innovative repairs rather than adopting a ‘patch and run’ approach.”
RAC head of policy Simon Williams echoed these sentiments, highlighting the historical significance of the funding.
“This is the biggest one-off road maintenance funding settlement councils in England have ever been given,” he said. “We have high hopes it’s the turning point that ends the degradation of our roads and finally delivers fit-for-purpose, smooth surfaces for drivers and all other road users.”
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Calls for long-term planning
However, local government representatives have urged the government to reconsider its decision to hold back part of the funding, arguing it hinders councils’ ability to plan effectively.
Cllr Adam Hug, the transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said: “This extra £500 million for local roads is helpful, but we would ask the government to reconsider its decision to hold back a quarter of this funding. Fully funding councils will enable them to far more effectively plan for and invest in preventative treatments which keep surfaces in better condition for longer and prevent potholes, which are more expensive to repair.”
He also emphasised the need for greater long-term investment to address the £16.3 billion repair backlog, pointing to the upcoming Spending Review as an opportunity to secure funding certainty for local authorities.
Looking ahead
The government’s initiative comes as motorists and transport groups continue to highlight the dire state of roads across the country. Recent RAC figures revealed that drivers encounter an average of six potholes per mile on roads in England and Wales, with repair costs per incident averaging £500.
While the funding announcement is a step in the right direction, stakeholders stress that sustained investment and innovative repair methods are crucial to ensuring long-term improvements to the nation’s roads.
