An additional £500 million will be spent on local road maintenance next year, it has been announced. Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed the pledge as part of her first Autumn Budget, in an effort to tackle the country’s deteriorating pothole crisis.
The figure represents a near-50% increase in funding from 2024-25, bringing the total allocation for local road maintenance up to £1.6bn. This follows the news that pothole-related breakdowns are on course to reach a six-year high.
The amount allocated is £180 million more than initially promised in Labour’s manifesto and comes as part of the party’s plan to fix an additional one million potholes per year. However, industry experts have warned that the extra investment is still well below the £16 billion needed to repair all of the country’s potholes.
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, says spending on preventive measures will also be needed to deliver long-term improvements: “This is positive news for drivers as it should enable cash-strapped local authorities to begin the process of improving the quality of their roads.
“But it’s vital councils don’t just use the money to fill potholes as this is unlikely to deliver the long-term benefit drivers so badly want to see. We believe greater use of preventative maintenance is essential. Surface dressing roads at regular intervals is a proven, cost-effective way of ensuring potholes don’t appear in the first place, along with resurfacing the worst affected roads.”
The Department for Transport has been given a total ‘departmental expenditure limit’ of £30bn for the upcoming financial year, amounting to an increase of £1.2 billion. This includes an extra £100 million for improving the country’s walking and cycling infrastructure and a further £200 million to support the rollout of the electric vehicle charging network.
To keep up to date with the latest road safety news, check the Anglo Liners blog every week. Alternatively, click here for a free road marking quote.