Dorset roads under scrutiny as councils could lose funding over potholes
Councils must now prove they’re spending highways funding on effective road maintenance or risk losing a third of their budget
BCP and Dorset Council will be forced to prove how they are maintaining roads or risk losing millions in funding, under new government rules aimed at tackling the UK’s pothole crisis.
The government has announced that local authorities must now publish detailed reports showing how highways budgets are spent, alongside long-term maintenance plans and evidence of improved training for road repair teams.
Failure to meet the new standards could see councils lose up to a third of their share of a £1.6 billion national roads fund next year.
For BCP Council, the stakes are high. The authority is due to receive £3.7m next year, rising steadily to £6.3m by 2030 – funding that will be critical to maintaining its road network.
The new rules come as roads in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have been ranked among the best areas in the country for road maintenance, according to a government league table assessing condition, investment and the use of preventative technologies.
The wider picture remains challenging, with more than 3.4 million potholes reported nationally over the last four years and councils paying out over £11 million in compensation to drivers for damage.
Nearly half of drivers report regularly swerving to avoid potholes, while 86% of those who suffer damage end up covering repair costs themselves – averaging £175.
The new requirements have been described as a “positive step” towards improving accountability and ensuring funds are used effectively, particularly as many road networks struggle under pressure from increased traffic and extreme weather.
For both Dorset councils, the challenge will be maintaining current standards while meeting stricter transparency rules.