Extra cash to fill 88,000 potholes in the West Midlands

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has announced he has secured a 30 per cent rise in the region’s highway repair funding which will be used to fill more potholes, resurface bad roads and give motorists a smoother drive.

The Department for Transport has provided an extra £8.6 million for the pot, on top of the £24 million funding which had already been confirmed for 2025/26.

The £8.6 million is enough to fill a total of 88,000 potholes and the cash will be distributed to Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton according to a set formula.

Birmingham City Council’s road repairs are funded through a separate private finance initiative process.

This additional funding will allow councils to schedule more roads for repair and resurfacing, as well as work to prevent more potholes from forming – improving safety and cutting repair costs for motorists.

The use of modern techniques and materials can also extend the life of a road and reduce the future risk of potholes.

Mr Parker said: “Far too many of our roads are blighted by dangerously deep potholes, cracks and craters leaving motorists to pick up the bill for car repairs and poor driving conditions. This is the result of years of under investment.

“Now, with this funding I’ve secured from Government, our councils can bring even more roads up to scratch and our motorists can enjoy journeys which are quicker, safer and with reduced wear and tear on vehicles.”

Transport for West Midlands, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, is also working on a Government funded research project to test innovative new road surface materials which are both lower carbon than traditional methods and in some cases longer lasting.

Trials for the Centre of Excellence for Decarbonising Roads project are being carried out across the West Midlands in collaboration with Combined Authority members and in Scotland North Lanarkshire Council.