Councils across the East Midlands are set to receive £75 million to repair their roads, the government has today (20) announced.

The investment is part of a wider £1.6 billion pot of cash and is enough to fix the equivalent of over seven million extra potholes in 2025/26.

The cash 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, with more severe repairs costing considerably more. 

According to the AA, fixing potholes is a priority for 96 per cent of drivers.

Each local authority can use its share of the £1.6bn for 2025/26 to identify which of their roads are in most need of repair, and to deliver immediate fixes.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has now told councils to ‘get on with the job’ after handing them the cash.

He said: “Broken roads can risk lives and cost families hundreds if not thousands of pounds on repairs. That’s a cost that can easily be avoided by investing properly in our roads. 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.”

On top of this funding, the government is announcing 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.