UK councils given £6 billion to fix potholes

Councils will be given £6 billion over the next six years to help fight potholes and put a stop to short term fixes, the Government has announced.

Between 2015 and 2021, local councils will be handed almost £1 billion a year to improve roads following a succession of severe winters and flooding. It's hoped this money will pay for around 18 million potholes to be fixed.

Around £4.7 billion will be shared between 115 English councils, while councils will also be able to bid for a further slice of £575 million for the repair and maintenance of infrastructure such as junctions, bridges and street lighting.

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A further £578 million has been set aside for an incentive fund scheme which will start in 2016 to reward councils who show they're delivering value for money and cost-effective repair work.

Mr McLoughlin said: "Roads play a significant part in everyday life. Poorly-maintained local roads, blighted by potholes, are a menace to all road users, particularly during the festive period as people travel to see family and friends.

"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."

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"This £6 billion funding 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."

RAC chief engineer David Bizley said funding for potholes was welcome but there were doubts whether this was "new money".

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He said: "We also question whether this really goes far enough. Recent estimates by the Asphalt Industry Alliance suggest a one-off investment of £12 billion is needed in England to deal with the backlog in road maintenance, the majority of which is associated with those roads for which local authorities are responsible.

"The Government deserves credit for their bold actions to develop and fund an investment strategy for the strategic road network. But unless equally bold actions are taken on local roads, we risk a two-tier network with strategic roads capable of supporting economic growth but with a crumbling local road infrastructure."

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AA president Edmund King said the state of roads was a number one concern for motorists. He added: "The fund is welcome but it is a bit like that present of a pair of socks for Christmas - it is something you should have anyway and is not a treat nor luxury. Drivers already pay way over the odds in motoring taxes compared with what is spent on the roads so at least deserve decent road surfaces."

Can this investment bring real improvements to UK roads? Join the debate in the comments section below...