- The Conservative Government is investing a further £200 million to fix four million potholes across the country, improving road standards for drivers in Hitchin, Harpenden and the villages.
- This funding builds on new figures that show Conservative-run councils repaired three times as many potholes on average as Labour councils did in the last year.
- The £200 million funding is in addition to the £2.7 billion investment already committed to improve local roads for millions of drivers across the country.
Bim Afolami MP has welcomed nearly £4 million to fix 79,040 potholes across Hertfordshire to improve road standards for drivers, saving them money on repairs, and making it easier to get to work and see family.
The Conservative Government are investing £200 million to fix four million potholes across England. This funding builds on the £2.7 billion of highways maintenance funding, already committed between tax years 2022-25.
New analysis shows Conservative-run councils repaired three times as many potholes on average as Labour-run councils did in the last year. This funding will ensure councils can continue to deliver this quality service for drivers across the country.
Commenting, Bim Afolami MP said:
“People in Hitchin, Harpenden and the villages should be able to get to work and to see friends and family without fear of damaging their vehicles due to poor quality roads.
“That is why I am delighted the Conservative Government is investing £4 million across Hertfordshire to fix 79,040 potholes.
“This funding will not only improve the quality of people’s journey but will also make our roads safer for everyone who uses them.”
Commenting, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
“Potholes are a blight on Britain’s roads.
This latest round of funding shows we are committed to supporting all road users – from motorists to cyclists and bus passengers – and making journeys smoother and safer for all.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The £200 million of pothole repair funding committed at the Spring Budget 2023 builds on the £2.7 billion of local highways maintenance funding between tax years 2022-25. The Budget 2023 announced £200 million for highways maintenance for the financial year 2023-2024. This is in addition to the existing highways maintenance funding settlement announced in the October 2021 Spending Review, which committed over £2.7 billion of local highways maintenance funding between tax years 2022 and 2025 (DfT, Transparency data, 15 March 2023, link).
- Conservative councils repaired three times as many potholes on average as Labour councils in the last year. In 2021-22, Conservative Councils repaired 16,250 potholes on average – while Labour councils only repaired 5,417, meaning that Conservative councils repaired three times as many potholes on average compared to Labour ones for councils across England, Scotland and Wales (Freedom of Information Requests, 16 March 2023, archived).
- Conservative councils repaired 87 per cent more potholes than the average council in the last year. Conservative councils repaired 16,250 potholes on average in 2021-22, 87 per cent more than the 8,680 potholes repaired by the average council across Great Britain for councils across England, Scotland and Wales (Freedom of Information Requests, 16 March 2023).
- Conservative councils repaired 85 per cent more potholes than Liberal Democrat councils in the last year. Conservative councils repaired 16,250 potholes on average in 2021-22, 86 per cent more than the 8,737 potholes repaired by the average Liberal Democrat councils across England, Scotland and Wales (Freedom of Information Requests, 16 March 2023).
- Labour councils repaired 38 per cent less potholes than the average council across Great Britain. Labour councils repaired 5,417 potholes on average in 2021-22, 38 per cent less than the 8,680 potholes repaired by the average council across Great Britain for councils across England, Scotland and Wales (Freedom of Information Requests, 16 March 2023).
