Huge boost for motorists as Keir Starmer pledges £1.6BILLION to fill potholes on UK’s crumbling roads
PM Sir Keir Starmer says a £1.6billion injection to repair seven million potholes will save motorists cash and make journeys safer.
The boost for councils will reduce tyre blow-outs and buckled wheels.
Ministers say the repair programme will also speed up journey times — with figures showing drivers have to navigate past six potholes per mile.
Writing in The Sun, Sir Keir said: “I know how much this matters to people. Potholes aren’t just annoying.
“They put lives at risk and hit working people in their wallets.”
Local authorities in England will receive nearly 50 per cent more cash for road maintenance funding than last year to tackle the menace to motorists.
Ministers added that each area will be able to identify which roads need repair and deliver quicker fixes, as part of the plan to deliver growth.
The money made available is enough for town halls to repair seven million extra craters.
The public will also be encouraged to report potholes.
A survey by the RAC from earlier this year found the state of Britain’s roads was the top concern for six in ten motorists.
Damage to cars from potholes cost around £500 on average with wheel damage, punctures and a broken suspension the most common issues.
The move comes after fuel duty was frozen for another year, which will save the average car driver £59.
The Local Government Association estimates it will cost £14billion to fix the current potholes backlog.
‘It’s what motorists deserve’
By Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
BRITAIN’S roads are in a shocking state.
During 14 years of Tory rule, they were neglected and allowed to crumble.
Millions of drivers across the country now face a daily dodge, weaving through countless potholes and forking out hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds to repair their damaged motors.
I know how much this matters to people.
Potholes aren’t just annoying. They put lives at risk and hit working people in their wallets.
So today we’re putting in a record £1.6billion to fix them.
Councils across the UK can now fill in seven million extra potholes a year.
This is about making people better off – the number one priority in my plan for change.
That is why we froze fuel duty in the Budget, backing the Sun’s Keep It Down campaign.
And it is why we back motorists by fixing potholes in an investment that goes beyond our manifesto pledge.
It’s now over to councils to get on with the job.
This Government was elected to deliver change.
So we will do a proper job on potholes. It’s what motorists deserve.