Government gives councils £500m to fix ten million potholes

The government has given councils £500m to fix potholes in the country’s roads, after research found motorists believe them to be a bigger problem than drink driving.

The Department for Transport has allocated the money for highways maintenance, with the funding expected to fix the equivalent of 10m potholes.

It is the second instalment from the £2.5bn Potholes Fund, providing £500m a year between 2020/21 and 2024/25, announced by the Chancellor in the 2020 Budget – and is part of wider funding the DfT provides for road maintenance.

Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: “We know potholes are more than just a nuisance – they can be dangerous to drivers and cyclists alike, and cause damage to thousands of vehicles every year.

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“The funding allocated today will help councils ensure roads in their area are kept up to standard, and that the potholes that blight road users can be dealt with promptly.”

A report produced by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart earlier this month found three in four motorists now perceive potholes to be a bigger issue for road users than they were three years ago.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “The pothole situation on UK roads has now become much more than just irritating, it’s a significant threat to personal safety.

“We simply can’t have vehicles swerving into oncoming traffic or slamming on their brakes without warning to avoid them. Deteriorating roads also put pedestrians and cyclists at greater risk.”