The cash will be used to repair roads across all six boroughs of the city region
The cash will be used to repair roads across all six boroughs of the city region
Almost £9m is to be pumped into repairing the roads across the Liverpool City Region as part of a massive government investment into tackling potholes. Ministers have allocated funding to the region as part of a nationwide initiative to improve road and walkway surfaces.
The cash – which will be used across all six boroughs of the city region – Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral – is in addition to almost £4m secured last year to upgrade and repair key parts of the highway network, including bike paths, bus lanes and foot paths. The new funding awarded by the Labour administration is part of a £1.6bn government commitment to fix potholes across England over the next year.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said he was “determined to make sure every pound” coming to the region would “deliver real benefits.” An increase of nearly 50% on local road maintenance funding from 2023, the funding goes beyond the Government’s manifesto pledge, and is enough to fix the equivalent of more than seven million extra potholes in 2025/26.
Ministers are asking local authorities to collect data and deliver proactive maintenance before potholes start to form. The funding announced has built-in incentives, with 25% of the uplift held back until authorities demonstrate they are tackling potholes and poor road surfaces.
Mr Rotheram said: “For far too long, local councils have been left scrambling to fix our roads with one hand tied behind their backs after years of funding cuts. Communities in the Liverpool City Region bore the brunt of that neglect, with potholes becoming a daily frustration and a symbol of the wider disrepair caused by austerity.
“Now, with a new government that’s serious about rebuilding from the ground up, we’ve got a chance to put things right. I’m determined to make sure that every pound coming to our region delivers real benefits.
“With this investment, we have a real opportunity to create smoother, safer journeys for everyone. It’s about more than fixing roads; it’s about fixing lives, making it easier for people to get to work, school, or even just enjoy the simple pleasure of a family day out without fear of damage or delay.”
The public is also being encouraged to report potholes in their area to their council on Gov.uk. Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport, added: “This country has suffered for too long with roads plagued by potholes, which cause expensive damage to cars, are unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists, and represent a visible decline in our national infrastructure.
“Our record £1.6bn investment for the next year alone will start to turn the tide, enough to fix the equivalent of up to seven million more potholes next year. Every area of England will benefit from an uplift, which goes beyond our manifesto commitment and will raise living standards in every part of the country.”
