The Labour Party has launched a scathing attack on the Government, branding ministers 'profoundly out of touch' for slashing the budget for road maintenance while the nation grapples with a worsening pothole crisis.
New analysis reveals that the Government's Potholes Fund—a dedicated pot of money to help councils repair damaged roads—will be cut by a staggering £400 million over the next two financial years. This represents a 28% reduction, plunging from £1.423 billion in 2023/24 to just £1.023 billion by 2025/26.
The Real-World Impact on Local Councils
This significant reduction in funding means local authorities across England will have drastically less money to tackle the backlog of road repairs. The situation is so dire that the Asphalt Industry Alliance estimates it would now take £16.3 billion and a full decade to bring all UK roads up to a satisfactory standard.
Louise Haigh, Labour's Shadow Transport Secretary, did not mince her words: 'The Tories are so out of touch they have chosen to slash the potholes budget, while families and businesses are paying the price for crumbling roads.' She emphasised that this is not a trivial matter, but a serious issue affecting motorists' safety and finances.
Motorists Bear the Brunt of the Crisis
The consequences of poor road maintenance are felt directly by drivers. The RAC attended a shocking 30,000 pothole-related breakdowns in just the last three months of 2023 alone. Common issues include damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs, and distorted wheels.
This isn't just an inconvenience; it's a significant financial burden. The average repair bill for a car damaged by a pothole is a hefty £250.
Government Defence and Labour's Alternative
In response to the criticism, a Department for Transport spokesperson pointed to the £8.3 billion of redirected HS2 funding, which they claim will be a 'long-term boost' for road repairs. They stated this extra funding is enough to resurface over 5,000 miles of road across the country.
However, Labour has pledged to tackle the issue head-on if they win the next election. The party has committed to fully funding the £1.023 billion Potholes Fund for the next parliament and, crucially, to ringfencing the entire amount specifically for road maintenance, ensuring the money cannot be diverted to other council services.
This political row highlights a growing infrastructural problem that affects millions of Britons daily, turning potholes from a mere nuisance into a key political battleground.
