Ministers demand action as government launches transparency drive for road repairs and greenlights billions for national highways.
Councils in England are being handed a stark ultimatum: get serious about pothole repairs or lose a chunk of your funding. In a push to hold local authorities accountable, the government is tying access to a £500 million uplift in road funding to strict new transparency rules.
Starting from mid-April 2025, councils will begin receiving part of a record-breaking £1.6 billion highways maintenance fund aimed at fixing the nation’s crumbling roads. However, to unlock their full share, they must publish detailed progress reports – a first-of-its-kind requirement in England.
PM Keir Starmer: “That Ends With Us”
“The broken roads we inherited are not only risking lives but also cost working families, drivers and businesses hundreds – if not thousands – of pounds in avoidable vehicle repairs,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“British people are bored of seeing their politicians aimlessly pointing at potholes with no real plan to fix them. That ends with us.”
The Prime Minister confirmed: “We’ve done our part by handing councils the cash and certainty they need – now it’s up to them to get on with the job, put that money to use and prove they’re delivering for their communities.”
Transparency Requirements for Councils
From 24 March 2025, local authorities will be expected to publish reports by 30 June 2025 including:
- How many potholes have been filled
- Total amount spent on road repairs
- Road condition grading
- Measures to reduce disruption from streetworks
- Plans to manage wetter winters and prevent damage
Failure to comply will result in 25% of the uplift being withheld, worth a total of £125 million.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“The public deserves to know how their councils are improving their local roads. Our Plan for Change is reversing a decade of decline and mending our pothole-ridden roads.”
£4.8 Billion for Motorways and Major A-Roads
Alongside local funding, the government has confirmed £4.8 billion for National Highways to support construction, repairs, and safety improvements on the UK’s strategic road network in 2025–26.
Key projects include:
- A428 Black Cat scheme – Cambridgeshire
- A47 upgrades – Norwich area
- M3 Junction 9 – Hampshire
Breakdown of Funding:
| Category | Funding |
|---|---|
| Network Maintenance | £1.3 billion |
| Daily Operations | £1.8 billion |
| Improvement Schemes | £1.3 billion |
Motoring Costs and Safety Concerns
New data from the RAC shows UK drivers encounter an average of six potholes per mile. Repairing pothole-related damage now costs drivers around £600 per incident.
With 96% of motorists prioritising road surface improvements, the government has also extended the fuel duty freeze, saving the average driver £59 over the next year.
Industry Reactions
Edmund King, AA President:
“Getting councils to show value for money before getting full funding is a big step in the right direction.”
Graham Stapleton, CEO of Halfords:
“Well-maintained roads are better for safety and for long-term savings. This is a welcome move.”
Caroline Julian, British Cycling:
“We’re optimistic this will lead to safer, more accessible roads for cyclists.”
Tina McKenzie, FSB:
“This will give small firms reassurance that money allocated for potholes is spent properly.”
Boosting Infrastructure and Growth
Since taking office, the government has approved over £580 million for key infrastructure projects, including:
- £200 million – A47 Thickthorn Junction
- £290 million – M3 Junction 9
- £90 million – Regional road upgrades like the A130 Fairglen Interchange and A647 Leeds scheme
Nick Harris, Chief Executive, National Highways:
“This interim settlement allows us to continue connecting the country safely and reliably.”
With billions now pledged, the government says the message is clear: “Fix the roads – or lose the cash.”
