England road maintenance sees 10% increase in resurfacing

The UK Government has announced that efforts to repair England’s roads are “starting to turn a corner,” with nearly 7,000 miles of road resurfacing scheduled for completion this financial year. This total includes approximately 5,000 miles of preventative maintenance and 2,000 miles of structural maintenance.

Data from the Department for Transport indicates a more than 10% increase in resurfacing compared to the previous year, with total spending reaching £4.9 billion. To further incentivize improvements, the Government has unlocked an additional £220 million in performance-based funding for councils that meet specific targets.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander noted that the record funding and new accountability rules aim to reduce the financial burden on motorists, as the RAC estimates average car repair bills for pothole damage can reach up to £590. Currently, 94% of councils are expected to complete preventative roadworks this year, up from 76% in the previous financial year.