A record £6 billion will be spent on tackling potholes and improving local roads between 2015 and 2021, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced today.
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.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Roads play a significant part in everyday life and 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 that we have good-quality roads. This government has already taken strong action by spending £1 billion more on local roads maintenance over this parliament than was spent in the previous. This £6 billion funding I am announcing today will put an end to short term fixes and will mean that 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 allocates funding to local authorities based on local need, so councils with larger highway networks receive more of the funding. Over £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 high value for money to the taxpayer in carrying out cost effective planned improvements.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan said; "Whilst the funds given earlier in the year have helped to clear some of the enormous backlog, there are still too many rural roads with serious potholes and crumbling verges which need urgent rebuilding. These new funds are a welcome boost and we are pleased that our campaigning to explain to Government ministers just how bad Northumberland's roads are still in places, has been heard. I hope that county hall will spend this money to make long term restoration to our rural roads, not just patch individuals holes which within weeks are back".