On Wednesday 26 November, Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves delivered what has been described as a “Big Budget”. Relatively speaking, we’ve seen high tax, high spend announcements. And they could impact the way government and local authorities invest in our road network.
From the perspective of the Road Emulsion Association, one particular new policy is warmly welcomed as a decisive step towards tackling the UK’s long-standing pothole crisis.
The commitment to over £2 billion annually for local authorities by 2029-30 represents a record level of investment that will enable councils to improve the quality of our roads, alongside preventative maintenance like surface dressing and encapsulation, which extend road life and reduce future repair costs.
By linking eVED revenues directly to sustained road funding, the government is providing the certainty needed for long-term planning, ensuring that millions of potholes can be addressed each year while also protecting roads against deterioration.
This approach aligns with the REA’s call for consistent, preventative investment and will deliver safer, smoother journeys for all motorists on local roads, which make up 98% of the UK’s network.
This Budget comes after additional pothole and preventative maintenance funding was announced last year, and the new requirement for local authorities to produce transparency reports means communities can now see how road budgets are allocated. The measures in this Budget must build on that momentum.
Kevin Maw, Consultant & Secretary, Road Emulsion Association said:
“Preventative maintenance is the most cost-effective way to protect our local roads. With councils now required to publish transparency reports, the public will be able to see whether investment is being used wisely. We hope the Budget marks a turning point in the way we fund road repairs.”