UK pledges £7.3bn to fix potholes—but councils face strict new rules
The Government has pledged a record £7.3 billion to tackle potholes across England and Wales over the next six years. The funding comes as new data reveals nearly half of local roads could become unusable within 15 years without urgent repairs. Stricter rules will also force councils to spend the money directly on road maintenance—or risk losing it entirely.
Under the changes, councils failing to meet performance standards will see their funding cut. The measures aim to address a growing backlog of repairs, with the total cost to fix Britain's roads now estimated at £18.6 billion—up from £17 billion last year. Road workers, meanwhile, report rising abuse from frustrated motorists while carrying out essential fixes.
The new funding will be rolled out from next month, but councils will face tighter controls on how it is spent. Authorities rated 'red' for poor performance will lose their share of the money unless they improve. Nearly a dozen councils are already at risk of penalties for failing to meet repair targets.
Ministers will also withhold 25% of funding from councils that do not share detailed data on pothole repairs. The move follows concerns over transparency, though no official figures exist on how many councils were penalised last year for inadequate reporting. The Government insists the stricter rules will ensure money goes where it is needed most. The crisis on local roads has worsened in recent years. Resurfacing now happens, on average, every 97 years—up from 93. This delay has left many roads deteriorating faster than they can be repaired. With almost half of England and Wales' local routes at risk of crumbling within 15 years, the pressure on councils to act has never been greater. Road maintenance crews have raised alarms about increasing verbal and physical abuse from drivers while working. The problem adds to the challenges of keeping roads safe, as workers face hostility alongside the growing repair backlog.
The £7.3 billion investment marks the largest-ever Government commitment to fixing potholes. Councils will receive the first payments next month but must prove they are using the funds effectively. Those failing to improve could see their budgets slashed, while workers on the ground continue to deal with both deteriorating roads and rising aggression from motorists. The total repair bill now stands at £18.6 billion, with the clock ticking to prevent further decline in road conditions across the country.
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