UK Government Allocates £1.6bn to Repair Millions of Potholes

Local councils in England will receive a £500m funding increase to address road maintenance, with a focus on long-term fixes and accountability.

The £1.6bn road maintenance budget for 2025/26 includes a £500m increase, expected to fix up to seven million potholes across England.
Funding allocations vary by region, with over £372m going to the Midlands and more than £378m for the South East, South West, and London.
A quarter of the £500m uplift will be withheld until councils demonstrate effective use of the funds for repairs and maintenance.
The Local Government Association welcomed the funding but urged for greater long-term investment to address the estimated £16.3bn backlog in road repairs.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasized the importance of proactive maintenance and permanent fixes to improve road conditions and reduce future costs.