West Midlands Roads Face £1.94bn Pothole Backlog After 'Biblical Rain'
Transport bosses have pledged to continue tackling the pothole crisis in the West Midlands, following a stark report highlighting a massive funding shortfall for road repairs. The latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey, commissioned by the Asphalt Industry Alliance, reveals that local authorities in the region face a staggering £1.94 billion backlog of carriageway repairs to address potholes and cracked roads.
Survey Highlights Dire Road Conditions
The alarming report indicates that only 46 per cent of the local road network is reported to be in good condition, underscoring the scale of the problem. Despite an increase in budgets, the survey found that each council would have needed an extra £117 million last year to maintain their network to their own target conditions and prevent further deterioration.
During a recent visit to Birmingham, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander addressed the issue, stating, "The Labour Government is doubling the amount of money available to councils to repair potholes and fix our broken roads. We gave an additional £500 million in this financial year taking the amount to £1.6 billion." She attributed part of the problem to "biblical levels of rain at the beginning of this year," which has severely impacted road quality.
Government and Local Funding Initiatives
The Government has allocated £7.3 billion for road maintenance between 2026/27 and 2029/30, including £1.6 billion for 2025/26 specifically for pothole repairs and resurfacing. Alexander emphasized the need for councils to spend this money wisely, advocating for "preventative road resurfacing which can offer better value for money in the long term."
In a significant local move, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker last month doubled funding to make £240 million available for highways maintenance over five years from April 2027, covering Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. Parker said, "We continue to invest in our transport network across this region, we've got additional funds – twice what we've had before – to address the regional problem of potholes that blight people's journeys everyday."
Holistic Transport Approach
Parker highlighted a comprehensive strategy, noting, "We are taking a very holistic approach to addressing our transport issues. We're investing in our buses, our rail network and we're investing in our Metro too." He also mentioned that the Government has allocated £2.4 billion for strategic transport priorities in the region, calling it "a great settlement" and more than ever before.
He added, "I will continue to work with the Government and our local council partners to make sure every part of our transport system works for the people who live there. We want the roads to be safe for people to travel on. We've allocated twice as much as we have had previously to address potholes." Parker is now focusing on big strategic infrastructure developments to improve regional connectivity.
It is important to note that Birmingham City Council's road repairs are funded through a separate private finance initiative process, distinct from the broader regional efforts. The combined actions aim to mitigate the decade of underinvestment cited by officials and restore road safety across the West Midlands.
