- The Government is investing in the foundations of growth -
fixing failing local road structures that local authorities
cannot afford to repair alone.
- Launched today, the Structures Fund is part of a record £1
billion total package to enhance England's roads
- Local authorities across England can now apply for funding
to renew vital infrastructure, including bridges,
flyovers and tunnels.
Government is backing councils across England to fix crumbling
bridges, falling flyovers and deteriorating tunnels as the new
Structures Fund opens today (Wednesday 15 April) in the latest
move to back drivers.
Decades of neglected infrastructure have led to
weight-restricted crossings adding miles to everyday journeys and
deteriorating flyovers, leaving communities unsure when the next
closure will come. The new fund will put money directly into the
hands of councils to tackle the most pressing cases they cannot
afford to fix alone.
The fund is now open for bids and will inject cash into repairing
critical structures across England, ensuring transport
infrastructure is more resilient to extreme weather, while making
everyday journeys safer, smoother and more dependable.
Transport Secretary, , said:
"Crumbling bridges and worn-out flyovers have been patched up
rather than properly fixed for far too long, leading to
frustrating weight limits and lengthy diversions.
"Every closed bridge is a barrier to growth; a blocked route to
work, a delayed delivery, a family unable to reach the services
they depend on.
"Councils have known what needs fixing for years but simply
haven't had the resources to act. We're changing that, making
sure structures are repaired properly, so people can live in
properly connected communities.”
To help councils put forward the strongest possible proposals,
the Government has appointed consultants WSP to provide free guidance
and hands-on support to all applicants, from reviewing cost
estimates to helping develop delivery plans.
Councils are encouraged to submit draft applications by 19 June
for early feedback, giving them the opportunity to strengthen
proposals before the final deadline of 3 August 2026. A series of
webinars will also be held throughout April and May to help
authorities navigate the process.
Funding decisions will be announced in Autumn 2026, with all
successful schemes required to complete works by March 2030.
WSP Managing Director, Civil & Vice President, Royal
Academy of Engineering, Steve Denston said:
“Like much of the UK's essential infrastructure, local highways
structures are ageing, performing at levels beyond the original
design expectations, and suffering from more extreme weather.
"The DfT Structures Fund is an invaluable initiative that will
provide a step change in funding for critical infrastructure,
releasing economic growth and safeguarding community assets.”
Part of a £1 billion package to enhance England's road network,
the Structures Fund sits within the £24 billion of funding
allocated at the 2025 Spending Review for roads and rail
maintenance - the most significant investment in local
infrastructure in a generation.
This builds on the record £7.3 billion already committed to local
highway authorities to fix potholes and deliver smoother roads
between 2026 and 2030.
Introduced this week, councils now face tough new rules on how
they spend pothole funding, as the Government set out new
requirements to ensure taxpayers see real improvements.
Councils that fail to prove they are delivering better roads face
losing around a third of their £1.6bn funding for the next year,
but drivers in these areas will not be left behind.
The thirteen councils rated red in the Government's local road maintenance
ratings will receive dedicated expert support to help them
drive up standards and deliver the visibly safer, smoother roads
their communities deserve.
