Prove You’re Fixing Roads – Or Lose Millions: Government Tells South West Councils to Act on Pothole Plague

£85m in extra cash at stake as new rules demand action and transparency from local authorities

Councils across the South West have been told they must prove they are tackling potholes – or risk losing a quarter of their funding.

From mid-April, the Government will begin delivering a record £1.6 billion highway maintenance package to local authorities across England. The South West is set to receive an additional £85 million from that fund – but only if councils meet strict new conditions.

Pothole Funding Comes With Conditions

To receive the full amount, councils will need to publish detailed progress reports by 30th June 2025. These reports must show how many potholes have been repaired, the condition of local roads, what is being spent, how they are managing streetworks disruption, and what long-term maintenance plans are in place. They must also prepare for wetter winters and demonstrate public engagement in decision-making.

Authorities that fail to comply will see 25% of their pothole funding withheld – a potential loss of £21 million for the South West.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“British people are bored of seeing their politicians aimlessly pointing at potholes with no real plan to fix them. That ends with us. We’ve done our part and handed councils the cash and certainty they need – now it’s up to them to get on with the job, put that money to use and prove they’re delivering for their communities.”

Road Users, Cyclists and Businesses Back the Plan

The new funding rules have been welcomed by industry groups, road safety bodies and motoring organisations.

Edmund King, President of the AA and part of the Pothole Partnership, said:

“Potholes remain the number one transport issue for drivers. We welcome the fact that full funding will only be allocated once annual progress reports and public satisfaction criteria are met. Getting councils to show value for money before getting full funding is a big step in the right direction.”

Caroline Julian, Brand and Engagement Director at British Cycling, added:

“Potholes also pose a significant danger to anyone choosing to travel by bike, often leading to injuries – and at worst, fatalities. We’re optimistic this will help to bring about better, safer spaces – ultimately enabling more people to make active travel the default way to get around.”

Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“Poorly maintained roads filled with holes can cause misery for small business owners. This new requirement to publish progress reports is a big step to give reassurance that money allocated to tackle potholes is used to do just that.”

Graham Stapleton, CEO of Halfords, said:

“We repair a lot of vehicles damaged by potholes… Potholes are not just a nuisance; they are a safety hazard. We’ve been calling for action on the quality of road surfaces for a long time and we warmly welcome the government’s pothole plan.”

Simon Williams, Head of Policy at RAC, said:

“Drivers are desperate to see an improvement in the quality of their local roads and a reduction in the number of potholes. Linking the release of additional funding to councils informing drivers on the progress they’re making should mean that the record level of government funding is used in the best possible way.”

Major Schemes Backed by £4.8bn Investment

In addition to local road funding, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander unveiled a separate £4.8 billion for National Highways to be delivered in 2025/26. This will support major improvement projects and the ongoing maintenance of the strategic road network.

Among the key schemes is the A417 Air Balloon roundabout in Gloucestershire, aimed at improving journey reliability and boosting economic growth.

Heidi said:

“After years of neglect, we’re unblocking the South West’s roads – fixing the plague of potholes, building vital roads and ensuring every penny is delivering results for the taxpayer.”

The package includes £1.3 billion for repairs, £1.8 billion for daily operations, and £1.3 billion for essential upgrades. In Wiltshire, a £26 million upgrade to the A350 Chippenham Bypass is also going ahead, expected to cut journey times by up to 25%.

Fuel Duty Frozen and Public Urged to Report Potholes

To ease financial pressures on motorists, the Government has also confirmed a freeze on fuel duty for another year – saving the average car driver £59.

Residents are being encouraged to report potholes in their area using the Council’s online pothole reporting portal.

As part of its Plan for Change, the Government says the investment will drive growth, reduce repair costs for drivers, and improve safety on Britain’s roads. But the message to councils is clear – prove progress, or the funding stops.