Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged councils to accelerate efforts to fix potholes as the government announces its £1.6bn budget for road maintenance. The new budget, £500m higher than last year’s, will be distributed to local authorities across England to address road repairs.

The increased funding is expected to fix an additional seven million potholes in the upcoming financial year. However, the government will hold back 25% of the £500m uplift until councils demonstrate effective delivery of repairs. The Department for Transport (DfT) emphasized the need for authorities to spend the funds wisely to prevent further road damage.

The Local Government Association (LGA) welcomed the funding but called for greater certainty and long-term investment. It also suggested that the current funding was insufficient to address the backlog, estimating that £16bn is needed for full repairs.

Potholes continue to be a major issue for UK drivers, with the RAC reporting an average of six potholes per mile. The RAC also noted that motorists spend around £500 annually on vehicle repairs due to pothole damage.

Starmer warned that poorly maintained roads could pose safety risks and financial burdens for families. The government’s focus on pothole repairs comes amid growing concerns over the cost and danger posed by the worsening state of UK roads.