Local councils across Britain will be required to demonstrate their progress in repairing potholes or risk having their funding withdrawn, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced. The move is part of the government’s commitment to improving road conditions and ensuring accountability for public spending.
The government has pledged an additional £4.8 billion for repairs to motorways and major A-roads, with local authorities set to receive their share of £1.6 billion in highway maintenance funding from mid-April. This represents a £500 million increase compared to the previous year. However, councils will now be required to publish annual progress reports detailing their spending and the number of potholes repaired.
Councils face financial penalties
From Monday, any local authority failing to provide adequate updates will lose 25% of their share of the additional £500 million funding boost. The annual reports, to be published on councils’ websites by 30 June, must also include:
- The percentage of roads in different conditions.
- Spending on pothole prevention.
- Plans for dealing with worsening road conditions during winter.
- Evidence that local communities have been consulted about repair priorities.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander defended the government’s tougher stance, stating:
“The public deserves to know how their councils are improving their local roads. They will now have to show progress or risk losing funding.”
Starmer: ‘No more aimless pothole pointing’
Sir Keir Starmer criticised previous governments for failing to tackle Britain’s crumbling roads, saying:
“British people are bored of seeing their politicians aimlessly pointing at potholes with no real plan to fix them. That ends with us.”
The Prime Minister said that by increasing funding, the government has provided councils with the cash and certainty they need to repair roads.
“Now it’s up to them to get on with the job, put that money to use, and prove they’re delivering for their communities.”
The Local Government Association (LGA) welcomed the extra investment but warned that it was not enough to tackle the estimated £17 billion backlog in road repairs.
Councillor Adam Hug, the LGA’s transport spokesperson, said:
“Councils already spend more than they receive from central government on tackling potholes and repairing our roads. The Government must ensure councils receive sufficient, long-term funding so they can focus on preventative measures rather than costly emergency repairs.”
National highways to receive £4.8 billion
The government also announced that £4.8 billion will be allocated to National Highways for ongoing projects such as the A428 Black Cat scheme in Cambridgeshire, the A47 improvements near Norwich, and the M3 Junction 9 upgrade in Hampshire.
Sir Keir said that fixing Britain’s broken roads is essential for improving living standards and reducing unnecessary repair costs for drivers.
“The broken roads we inherited are not only risking lives but also cost working families, drivers and businesses hundreds – if not thousands – of pounds in avoidable vehicle repairs.”
He described road maintenance as “basic infrastructure” that is central to delivering national renewal and securing Britain’s future through our Plan for Change.
Liberal democrats and conservatives react
The Liberal Democrats welcomed the additional funding but urged the government to take a long-term approach rather than focusing on quick fixes.
Paul Kohler, the party’s transport spokesperson, said:
“We must ensure that money is going where it is needed. The Government must empower local councillors who are best placed to make decisions about road repairs in their communities.”
He also called for more ambitious resurfacing programmes, arguing that filling potholes is “little more than applying a plaster to the gaping wound of our crumbling road infrastructure.”
The Conservatives, however, accused Labour of offering a “pothole sticking plaster” while failing to develop a real plan.
Shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon said:
“Labour like to talk a big game on fixing roads, but they are more interested in chasing headlines than laying tarmac.”
He claimed that Conservative-run councils repaired five times more road miles on average than Labour-run councils last year.
“Labour are running on empty. They’ve got no plan for motorists, no grip on the problem, and no credibility. Voters shouldn’t be fooled – Labour aren’t fixing the roads, they’re steering Britain into a ditch.”
With local elections on the horizon, road maintenance is set to become a key battleground, as parties vie to convince voters they have the best plan for fixing Britain’s roads.
