Councils across West Midlands urged to 'get on' with fixing 'broken roads'
Local authorities across the Midlands have been given £372 million to fix potholes
Last updated 20th Dec 2024
Councils across the West Midlands have been urged to "get on with the job" of fixing pothole-plagued roads.
The Prime Minister said damaged roads "can risk lives and cost families hundreds if not thousands of pounds on repairs".
He made the comments as the Department for Transport (DfT) announced how much each local authority in England will receive to maintain roads in the next financial year.
The funding allocations include more than £372 million for the East Midlands and West Midlands.
Sir Keir said: "Broken roads can risk lives and cost families hundreds if not thousands of pounds on repairs.
"That's a cost that can easily be avoided by investing properly in our roads.
"Through our Plan for Change we're determined to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking people and improve living standards.
"That's why we're giving councils funding to repair our roads and get Britain moving again - with a clear expectation that they get on with the job."
The cost of bringing pothole-plagued local roads in England and Wales up to scratch has been estimated at £16.3 billion.
RAC figures show drivers encounter an average of six potholes per mile on roads in England and Wales and the cost per incident of pothole damage to vehicles is around £500.
The AA found tackling the issue is a priority for 96% of motorists.
AA president Edmund King described the funding as a "significant cash injection".
He said: "With most journeys starting and ending on local roads, it is vital to restore the structural integrity of the streets we live on.
"We urge councils to focus on permanent and innovative repairs rather than adopting a 'patch and run' approach."
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "This is the biggest one-off road maintenance funding settlement councils in England have ever been given.
"So we have high hopes it's the turning point that ends the degradation of our roads and finally delivers fit-for-purpose, smooth surfaces for drivers and all other road users.
"What's particularly positive is that this announcement comes with the important caveat of using the money wisely by carrying out preventative maintenance to stop more potholes appearing in the future."