Councils could lose road maintenance funding if they fail to fix potholes under a new "carrot and stick" approach being proposed by the RAC. The motoring organisation warns that authorities struggling with persistent road repairs may face cuts to their budgets.
The RAC's intervention highlights mounting frustration over Britain's deteriorating road surfaces, which damage vehicles and create safety hazards for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. The organisation believes current funding allocations are either inadequate or poorly deployed by local authorities.
Under the proposed system, the Department for Transport would introduce performance targets for road upkeep. Councils failing to meet repair standards could see funding diverted or withheld - a move that would increase financial pressure on local authorities already facing stretched budgets.
The policy aims to deliver safer journeys and lower vehicle repair costs for motorists. However, councils in areas with extensive road networks or harsh weather conditions argue existing funding levels cannot meet demands, regardless of performance incentives.
The proposal risks sparking debate over responsibility between central government and local authorities. Opposition parties are expected to question whether councils receive adequate support to tackle what many see as the result of years of infrastructure underinvestment.