The Department for Transport (DfT) has allocated £500m to local authorities in England to fix potholes and other roads issues.

The funding will enable the equivalent of 10 million potholes to be fixed – although it’s seen as a drop in the ocean compared to what’s needed

The funding will enable the equivalent of 10 million potholes to be fixed – although it’s seen as a drop in the ocean compared to what’s needed.

The latest funding is the second of five equal instalments from the £2.5bn Potholes Fund, announced by the chancellor in the 2020 Budget and earmarking £500m a year between 2020/21 and 2024/25.

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.

“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.”

Rick Green, chair, Asphalt Industry Alliance, said that while the funding would be welcomed by “cash-strapped” local authorities, it was still a fraction of the amount needed. He added that it would “not address deteriorating conditions and the rising bill to put it right”.

“Potholes are a symptom of an under-appreciated and underfunded network. To keep essential services across the country moving and looking to recovery post-Covid, what’s needed is further sustained investment in effective road maintenance. That will help improve the condition of our local roads to prevent potholes from forming in the first place,” he continued.