William Eichler 23 July 2024

Government failing to track pothole funding, auditors warn

Government failing to track pothole funding, auditors warn image
Image: paul rushton / Shutterstock.com.

The Government does not know whether the funding it allocates to councils to fix the pothole-riddled local road system is being used effectively, auditors warn.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has provided between £1.1 and £1.6bn of capital funding each year to local authorities and has set out plans for additional funding through to 2034.

However, according to a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO), the DfT does not have a good enough understanding of the condition of local roads and does not use the limited data it does have to allocate its funding as effectively as possible.

The report concludes: ‘[DfT] does not know whether the funds it allocates are delivering improvements in road condition, and has not updated its guidance to local authorities, to share good practice and help them make the most of their limited funds, for some years.’

Responding to the report, RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: ‘It’s bad enough that historically the Government doesn’t really know just how bad our roads are. But it’s absolutely staggering that it doesn’t know whether the money it gives to councils has been used effectively.’

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: ‘We are absolutely committed to tackling the poor state of our roads. That’s why we’ve pledged to support local authorities to fix local pothole-ridden roads for the long term.’

If this article was of interest, then check out: Potholes: What Labour should do to fix local roads.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term Time

Essex County Council
£25821.00 - £30377.00 per annum + + Pension
Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term TimePermanent, Part Time£30,377 per annum, full time equivalent / equal to £15.74 per hour.Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Urban Design Intern

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Assistant Urban Design InternFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - Safeguarding Team

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - ASC Centralised Safeguarding TeamFixed Term, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Financial Strategy Manager (Revenue)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we invest in our borough's future.Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we inves England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Manager - Locality

Wakefield Council
£55,979.00, Grade 13
Wakefield Children’s Services have been rated by Ofsted as GOOD with outstanding leadership. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner