Potholes have plagued drivers across the country for too long, and the state of our roads has become a visible symptom of the national decline overseen by the previous government.
Today, I am announcing a plan to end this scourge, resurface roads, and back our nation’s motorists.
Millions of people will be driving home for Christmas this evening. But far too many of them will have to endure an obstacle course to their loved ones, with every pothole risking damage to their vehicles or worse.
This government has a Plan for Change. Readers will know the Daily Mail has been campaigning for this action for years, and we are finally putting in the funding needed to reverse decades of decline.
We are ensuring every region gets its fair share, and empowering councils to tackle this problem head-on. They know local roads best, and they will prioritise repairs where people need them most.
So whether it’s helping families get to school safely, ensuring ambulances can reach patients without delay, or keeping delivery drivers moving, filling the nation’s potholes has to be a priority.
We’ll ask councils to demonstrate they’re delivering before receiving their full share of funding, ensuring drivers get what they need and that taxpayers’ money is well spent.
That means well-planned, preventative maintenance that keeps roads in good condition for the long term – not just short-term patching up.
‘Potholes have plagued drivers across the country for too long, and the state of our roads has become a visible symptom of the national decline overseen by the previous government’, writes Heidi Alexander (pictured)
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander last night unveiled the 50 per cent hike in funding for resurfacing local roads – enough to fix 7million extra potholes
We will also put the proper penalties in place for utility companies digging up the roads.
It’s not right that some work without a permit, and others disrupt drivers by running well over time.
We’ll hold them accountable, imposing fines and making sure that poor repairs – those that leave roads worse than before – are no longer tolerated.
Good roads are vital for our economy and for everyday life. They connect people to jobs, children to schools, and businesses to customers.
This investment is about keeping Britain moving – reducing delays, improving safety, and creating smoother journeys for everyone.
We’re putting communities back in the driving seat and setting our infrastructure on a path to recovery.
The Government’s Plan for Change means taking real action. Britain deserves better roads, and it now has a government that will deliver them.
Heidi Alexander is Secretary of State for Transport