Pothole funding boost

York and North Yorkshire’s mayor has welcomed an extra £16.6m boost in funding to repair potholes on local roads.

Mayor David Skaith said the Government money announced on Friday, December 20 would help tackle potholes which were a real problem locally.
The Labour mayor said: “This extra £16.6 million for York and North Yorkshire from Government recognises the importance to our communities of better quality, safer roads.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the cash came as part of a £1.6bn package to fund repairs of up to 7m potholes next year, with £123m going to Yorkshire.

It comes as the Government has also announced plans to fund road repairs from the proceeds gained from road and street works and to clamp down on disruption.

The plans would see fines for utility companies who fail to comply with rules doubled and extra charges for works that run into weekends.
At least half of the money local authorities gain from lane rental charges, fees companies pay while undertaking works, would be reinvested into highway maintenance.

The Department for Transport has also announced plans to give mayors the power to approve lane rental schemes which is currently done in Whitehall.  The extra £16.6m in pothole repair funding given to York and North Yorkshire comes on top of the £45.5m already granted for the 2025-6 financial year.

Transport Secretary Ms Alexander said the investment would help reverse a decades of decline in the country’s roads.  The secretary of state said: “Millions will drive home for Christmas today, but too many will have to endure an obstacle course to reach their loved ones.  Potholes have plagued motorists for far too long, they damage cars, and make pedestrians and cyclists less safe.”

Simon Williams, policy lead for the RAC, said they had high hopes that the extra funding would make lasting improvements.
Mr Williams said: “What’s particularly positive is that this announcement is not just about giving councils money to fix dangerous potholes, it comes with the important caveat of using the money wisely by carrying out preventative maintenance to stop more potholes appearing in the future.”