Councils should “get on with the job” of fixing pothole-plagued roads, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The Prime Minister said damaged roads “can risk lives” and cost “hundreds if not thousands of pounds” for car repairs.
He made the comments as the Department for Transport (DfT) announced how much each local authority in England will receive to maintain roads in the next financial year.
The Treasury announced in the Budget in October that total local road maintenance funding in 2025/26 will be nearly £1.6bn, representing a £500m uplift compared with the previous 12 months.
The increase is estimated to be enough to fix around seven million potholes.
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Sir Keir said: “Broken roads can risk lives and cost families hundreds if not thousands of pounds on repairs.
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“That’s a cost that can easily be avoided by investing properly in our roads.
“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.”
The funding allocations include:
• More than £327m for the North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber
• More than £372m for the East Midlands and West Midlands
• More than £244m for the East of England
• More than £378m for local authorities in the South East and London
• More than £300m for local authorities in the South West
The cost of bringing pothole-plagued local roads in England and Wales up to scratch has been estimated at £16.3bn.
RAC figures show drivers encounter an average of six potholes per mile on roads in England and Wales and the cost per incident of pothole damage to vehicles is around £500.
The AA found tackling the issue is a priority for 96% of motorists.
The DfT said it will make sure highway authorities “spend the money wisely”, collect accurate data and deliver “proactive maintenance” before potholes start to form.
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Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed confidence that the “really significant investment” will result in drivers noticing an improvement in road conditions.
“It’s up to councils how they use the money. They can fill potholes, they can resurface roads, they can improve pavements, they can repair bridges,” she said.
AA president Edmund King described the funding as a “significant cash injection”.
