Record funding to fix potholes

Transport Secretary announces £6 billion fund to help tackle potholes and improve local roads

A RECORD £6 billion will be spent on tackling potholes and improving local roads between 2015 and 2021, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced today (23 December).

The investment amounts to £976 million a year, enough to fix around 18 million potholes across the country.

It is the first time councils have been given locked-in funding over this length of time, which will help them plan ahead and save money for the taxpayer.

Mr McLoughlin said: ‘It is vital we have good quality roads. This government has already taken strong action by spending £1 billion more on local roads maintenance than was spent in the previous parliament.

‘The £6 billion funding I am announcing today will put an end to short-term fixes and will mean we have committed £10 billion between 2010 and 2021.

‘This huge investment is part of our long-term economic plan to ensure we have a transport network fit for the 21st century.’

The Department for Transport will allocate the funding to local authorities based on local need, so councils with larger highway networks receive more of the funding.

More than £4.7 billion will be shared between 115 councils, while a further £575 million will be available through a new challenge fund to help repair and maintain local highway infrastructure such as junctions, bridges and street lighting.

It was also announced today that £578 million has been set aside for an incentive fund scheme, which will start in 2016, to reward councils who demonstrate they are delivering value for money in carrying out cost-effective improvements.