Transport Secretary said:
"If there's one thing that unites Britain's road users, it's the
misery of potholes.
"Years of decline have left our roads battered and broken. It can
take just one journey to cause hundreds of pounds of damage to a
car or van. And broken roads aren't just irritating and costly –
they are dangerous too.
"Drivers are rightly frustrated – I share that frustration
wholeheartedly. That's why this Government has made sure that
every council in England has the extra cash they need to fix more
roads this year than last year – and I am making sure they
deliver.
"Today's the deadline. When we gave councils their funding, we
made it clear: by now, we need the numbers – how many potholes
they've fixed, and their plan to tackle the rest.
"It means for the first time ever, drivers will soon be able to
see how well their local council is performing. Councils that
show progress will reap more rewards, unlocking a further £125
million – in total meaning up to seven million more potholes
filled this year alone.
“While we look at the data, we're putting money where our mouth
is. Our record £1.6bn investment is giving councils the resources
and access to cutting-edge tech to repair roads faster and
better.
"Because this isn't just about smoother journeys – it's about the
economy. Better roads mean fewer delays, less congestion, and
lower costs for commuters, small businesses and hauliers who keep
this country moving. Every pothole fixed and road resurfaced is a
step toward our Plan for Change to grow the economy and improve
living standards across the whole country.
"But we're not stopping at potholes. We're investing in critical
infrastructure, from the Lower Thames Crossing to £1 billion for
broken bridges, ruined roads, and tired tunnels. We're
accelerating the rollout of EV charge points and tackling the
driving test backlog, so young drivers aren't left in limbo.
"Under this Government, Britain's road users are back in the
driving seat. Better roads. Better journeys. A stronger economy.
"We're getting Britain moving."
Notes to editors
Background:
- 30th June is the deadline for Local Highways Authorities
(LHA) to publish reports setting out information about their
highways maintenance activities and detailing the state of their
network, including how many miles of road they have resurfaced
and are planning to, an estimate of how many potholes have been
filled in in each of the last 5 years, and how they plan to spend
their money effectively going forward.
- In December 2024, a funding uplift of £500 million was
announced for the 2025/26 financial year. 25% of that additional
funding will be subject to LHAs proving to government that they
are complying with reporting criteria, as stated above.
- The Department will now analyse the data, and announce
further details in due course.
- LHAs are also required to provide further reports in October
this year.
