RISHI Sunak will use his Budget today to declare war on potholes as he unveils £2.5bn to fill them.
The jumbo spending package is the nation’s biggest ever pothole-filling programme, and is enough to repair 50 million over the next five years.
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It delivers on a Tory election manifesto commitment, and is also part of Boris Johnson’s levelling up plan to ensure every part of the UK has better transport links.
While some infrastructure projects such as rail lines will take years to deliver, potholes has been identified by No11 as the swiftest way to show Labour switchers in Red Wall that the government is delivering for them.
Mr Sunak said last night: “We can’t level up Britain and spread opportunity if we are spending our journeys dodging potholes and forking out for the damage they cause.
“It’s vital we keep roads in good condition. That’s why we are going to eradicate the scourge of potholes in every part of the country.
“This funding will fill millions of potholes every year – speeding up journeys, reducing vehicle damage and making our roads safer.”
Research by the Federation of Small Business found show that 700,000 new potholes were reported in England alone last year, covering a total of 28km – or the equivalent height of 292 Big Bens.
