£300 Million Boost for South West Roads: Cornwall to Benefit from Major Pothole Repairs

Record funding aims to tackle pothole problems and improve road safety across the South West

Drivers across the South West, including in Cornwall, are set to benefit from a record £300 million investment in road repairs, with a focus on tackling the region’s long-standing pothole problem. The Government announced the funding today (20th December 2024) as part of its Plan for Change, promising safer roads and reduced vehicle repair costs.

Cornwall Among Key Beneficiaries

The South West’s local authorities will share the funding, with Cornwall receiving £44.3 million in 2025/26. The funding, part of a nationwide £1.6 billion road maintenance boost, marks a nearly 50% increase from last year. According to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, this is enough to fix the equivalent of over seven million potholes across England, helping communities and improving living standards.

The allocation for Cornwall includes £11.9 million in new funding, designed to address the worst-affected roads and ensure smoother journeys for drivers. Other areas in the region, including Devon, Somerset, and Dorset, will also receive significant shares of the funding.

Encouraging Safer Roads for All

Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the dangers and costs posed by broken roads, emphasising that this investment is aimed at “putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking people.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander added, “Potholes damage cars, and make pedestrians and cyclists less safe. We are investing £1.6 billion to fix up to seven million more potholes next year.”

Figures from the RAC show that drivers encounter an average of six potholes per mile in England and Wales, with pothole-related vehicle damage costing an average of £500 to repair. This funding aims to reduce these avoidable costs while improving road safety for all users.

Public Urged to Report Potholes

As part of the announcement, road users are encouraged to report potholes in their area to their local council through a dedicated Gov.uk page. The Government has built-in incentives to ensure the funding is spent effectively, with 25% of the new allocation held back until councils demonstrate results.

Additional Measures to Improve Road Conditions

To complement the funding, the Government is also doubling Fixed Penalty Notices for utility companies that fail to follow regulations and extending charges for street works that overrun into weekends. Local Mayors may soon gain more power to approve lane rental schemes, allowing authorities to charge companies for time spent on roadworks, with at least 50% of surplus funds reinvested into highway maintenance.

Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England, welcomed the announcement, noting that an extra £6.7 million will help address road issues in his area, alongside fines for utility companies who take too long on roadworks.

Funding Breakdown for the South West

Here is the full breakdown of funding allocated to the South West for 2025/26:

Area	Baseline Allocation	New Funding	Total Funding
South West Total	£214,684,000	£85,459,000	£300,141,000
West of England CA	CRSTS	£6,733,000	£6,733,000
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole	£5,552,000	£1,926,000	£7,478,000
Cornwall	£32,347,000	£11,993,000	£44,339,000
Devon	£61,117,000	£22,523,000	£83,640,000
Dorset	£18,273,000	£6,738,000	£25,011,000
Gloucestershire	£25,890,000	£9,421,000	£35,310,000
Isles of Scilly	None – separate funding agreement	£53,000	£53,000
North Somerset	£5,256,000	£1,894,000	£7,150,000
Plymouth	£3,352,000	£1,175,000	£4,527,000
Somerset	£32,887,000	£12,078,000	£44,965,000
Swindon	£4,259,000	£1,502,000	£5,761,000
Torbay	£2,151,000	£740,000	£2,891,000
Wiltshire	£23,600,000	£8,683,000	£32,283,000

This investment is part of a broader effort to improve local infrastructure, with £69 billion of funding set to be injected into council budgets across England. By addressing potholes and supporting proactive road maintenance, the Government aims to make the roads smoother and safer for everyone in the South West.