'National embarrassment': 750 miles of roads in Yorkshire and Humber to be repaired

More than 750 miles of roads in Yorkshire and The Humber will be reapired this year in a major government investment.

This investment forms part of the government’s £7.3 billion in funding for road maintenance <i>(Image: Submitted)</i>

(Image: Submitted)

More than 750 miles of roads in Yorkshire and The Humber will be repaired this year in a major investment.

New figures reveal that over 10 per cent more resurfacing took place last year.

In Yorkshire and The Humber, £220 million is being spent this year, £75 million more than before this government came to power.

Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary, said: "For too long potholes have been a source of national embarrassment, forcing hard-working people from Hull to Huddersfield to fork out for repairs and posing a danger to all road users.

"But today’s figures show that we are starting to turn a corner. While we know there is much more to do, our record funding, combined with tough new rules holding councils to account, mean that drivers are making safer, smoother journeys while giving people roads they can rely on."

This investment forms part of the government’s £7.3 billion in funding for road maintenance, which is starting to deliver "better roads for communities" that have suffered from potholes, helping the average driver save up to nearly £600 pounds on costly repairs.

The government has now allocated £220 million in incentive-based funding to councils across England for meeting performance-based targets.

Further funding will be released later in the year only if councils reach their performance targets. It can be withheld if targets are not met, as part of the government’s accountability measures.

All councils in Yorkshire and The Humber will complete preventative roadworks this year, a significant increase from last year when only 76 per cent did so.

These measures aim to stop potholes from forming in the first place.

The government credits the increase in preventative works to clear direction from government, record government funding and strict monitoring.

Dan Joyce, operations director at Kwik Fit, said: "Kwik Fit teams across the country have been repairing damage from potholes all too often, with tyres, wheels, and suspension components most frequently suffering from the impact.

"Potholes not only cause costly damage, they can also present a significant risk to road safety.

"We welcome this increased investment, especially the additional focus on proactive maintenance as this helps prevent potholes before they become a danger to road users, or a drain on drivers’ wallets."

Meanwhile additional figures released last week show local road conditions improved in the year ending March 2026 across England, with less minor roads needing maintenance decreasing following works last year.

Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said: "This data is encouraging.

"It's good to see so many miles of road being resurfaced, but it's also positive that the preventative maintenance message has got through as we've long argued that councils need to take steps to stop potholes appearing in the first place, and not just patch them up.

"Surface dressing, if done properly, is a very cost-effective way of improving more roads for the long term.

"The proof, of course, will be in whether drivers and other road users notice the difference.

"Getting the country's roads up to a decent standard, and keeping them there, isn’t an overnight job.

"But at least we’re now on the right track."