Revealed – the extra amount of money Shropshire Council has been given to fix the county's potholes

Last month, the government announced from mid-April, local authorities in England will start to receive their share of the government’s record £1.6 billion highway maintenance funding, including an extra £500 million – enough to fill 7 million potholes a year.

But all local authorities have been told that they have to publish how many potholes it has filled or lose out on the funding.

In Shropshire, the council has been handed an extra £9million on top of the initial £24.5 million it had already been allocated, bringing the total amount to spend on fixing potholes over the next financial year to 33.6 million.

Shrewsbury MP, Julia Buckley, said the amount signifies just how the roads in the county have deteriorated.

She said: “This government is appalled at how our roads have been allowed to deteriorate, and allocated a record £33 million this financial year, compared to £8 million last year.

“To qualify for the funds Shropshire Council will be required to publish the full list of roads being repaired, on its website so that residents can have confidence in the works. Not before time!”

During 2024, Shropshire Council said it repaired 35,862 potholes – over 800 more than in 2023, and an increase of 14,000 in 2020.

It is hoped with the extra cash, the council will be able to repair even more potholes this year.

It comes as figures from the RAC show drivers encounter an average of 6 potholes per mile in England and Wales, and pothole damage to cars costs an average of £600 to fix. According to the AA, fixing potholes is a priority for 96% of drivers. 

Motoring organisations welcomed the announcement of new cash to fix potholes.

Edmund King, AA president and member of the Pothole Partnership, said: "Getting councils to show value for money before getting full funding is a big step in the right direction, as it will encourage a more concerted attack on the plague of potholes. At the same time, local authorities can share best practice, so others can learn what new innovations and planned maintenance techniques have worked for them."

While Simon Williams, Head of Policy, RAC, added: "Drivers are desperate to see an improvement in the quality of their local roads and a reduction in the number of potholes. Linking the release of additional funding to councils informing drivers on the progress they’re making to fix the roads should mean that the record level of government funding is used in the best possible way.

"While filling potholes, which are the bane of drivers’ lives, is clearly a priority, preventing them appearing in the first place through the use of surface dressing and other preservation techniques is equally important."

Shropshire Council has been approached for comment.