Shropshire gets additional £9.1m to fix potholes

Shropshire is to get an additional £9.1m to fix its pothole-ridden roads.

Initially, the county was to receive £24.554m, but that has risen to £33.68m as part of a near £171m pledge from the Government to fix potholes in the West Midlands.

It means that Shropshire gets the second highest share in the region, behind Staffordshire, which will get £39.4m.

In comparison, Telford and Wrekin will receive £7.164m, Worcestershire £29.571m, and Herefordshire £22.928m.

It comes as figures from the RAC show drivers encounter an average of six potholes per mile in England and Wales, and the cost of pothole damage to vehicles is around £500 on average. According to the AA, fixing potholes is a priority for 96% of drivers.

To further protect motorists, the Government has also frozen fuel duty at current levels for another year, saving the average car driver £59. 

“Broken roads can risk lives and cost families hundreds if not thousands of pounds on repairs,” said Primer Minister Keir Starmer.

“That’s a cost that can easily be avoided by investing properly in our roads.  

“Through our Plan for Change, we’re determined to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking people and improve living standards. That’s why we’re giving councils funding to repair our roads and get Britain moving again – with a clear expectation that they get on with the job.” 

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander added: “Potholes have plagued motorists for far too long, but today’s record investment will start to reverse a decade of decline on our country’s roads. 

“Millions will drive home for Christmas today, but too many will have to endure an obstacle course to reach their loved ones. Potholes damage cars, and make pedestrians and cyclists less safe. We are investing £1.6bn to fix up to seven million more potholes next year.  

“This government is firmly on the side of drivers. Every area of England will get extra cash to tackle this problem once and for all. We have gone beyond our manifesto commitment to back motorists and help raise living standards in every part of the country.” 

The Government says will make sure authorities spend the money wisely, collect the right data, and deliver proactive maintenance before potholes start to form. The funding has built-in incentives, with 25% of this uplift held back until authorities have shown that they are delivering.

Meanwhile, at least 50% of surplus lane rental funds will be reinvested into highways maintenance, so that even more roads can be improved. Lane rental schemes allow local highway authorities to charge companies for the time that street and road works occupy the road.

Additionally, the Department for Transport is also consulting on devolving powers to approve lane rental schemes, which are currently with the Secretary of State, to local mayors. This will support the delivery of more lane rental schemes and put power back into local hands.

On top of this funding, the Transport Secretary has also announced a clampdown on disruptive street works,  doubling Fixed Penalty Notices for utility companies who fail to comply with rules and extending charges for street works that run into the weekend.