You can't fix Potholes with a map... Liberal Democrats Call for a fair deal and long-term action on Potholes.

For years, motorists, cyclists, and families across the country have been paying the "pothole tax"—hundreds of pounds in repair bills for damaged tires and broken suspensions caused by crumbling infrastructure. Now, a new light is being shone on the state of our highways.

​The Department for Transport has launched an interactive local road maintenance map providing a "traffic light" rating of how councils are performing. While the data highlights the scale of the challenge, Liberal Democrats are clear: a map alone won't fix a single crater. We need a Fair Deal for local government funding to clear the massive repair backlog.

A Crisis of National Neglect

​Across the country, Liberal Democrat representatives are witnessing the same story: local authorities are being forced to choose between "patching and mending" or letting roads fall into total disrepair because of chronic underfunding.

​Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, recently criticized the national approach to rural infrastructure:

​"The entire national potholes budget would probably not be enough to repair the badly neglected roads of Shropshire... [The Government is] taking with one hand and giving away with another."  

​The scale of the problem is no longer just an inconvenience; it is an economic drain. In a recent House of Commons debate, Liberal Democrat members highlighted that vehicle owners are paying road tax and fuel duty but aren't seeing that investment return to their local streets. 

​"Roads are like trousers. You can fix a hole here and there with a patch, but it reaches a point where this just simply won't work. We don't just need new trousers—we need a whole new wardrobe."  

​Success Through Local Leadership

​Despite these national pressures, Liberal Democrat-led councils are proving that proactive management works. In Gloucestershire, the county has secured a Green rating, a testament to the hard work of local teams.

​Cllr Sarah Hands welcomed the news:

​"I’m happy to see Gloucestershire is GREEN. We all know things could be better and no system or fix is perfect, however it’s good to have some recognition for what is currently being done."

​Cameron Thomas, Liberal Democrat MP for Tewkesbury, added:

​"When you see the sea of yellow across the South West, you can't help but be impressed. I know you'll keep working hard alongside Gloucestershire Highways."

​In areas like Watford, the Liberal Democrat council is pioneering a 'one visit, more impact' trial, aimed at repairing all potholes in a specific area at once to improve efficiency and reduce the need for repeat visits.

​The True Cost of Neglect

​The RAC reports that the UK is plagued by over one million potholes, leading to more than 25,000 incidents in 2025 alone. The financial toll on residents is staggering, with the average repair bill hitting £590—and some drivers being forced to cough up over £1,000.

​Liberal Democrat policy has long advocated for investing in preventative maintenance rather than "sticking-plaster" repairs. We believe that by fixing roads properly the first time, we save taxpayers money in the long run.

​While the Government has committed £7.3bn over the next four years, the Local Government Association warns of a £17 billion repair backlog. Liberal Democrats argue that without long-term, multi-year funding settlements for councils, local authorities will continue to struggle to move from "reactive" patching to "proactive" resurfacing.

The Liberal Democrat Plan

​The Liberal Democrats believe the only way to solve the "pothole plague" is to move away from short-term "emergency" pots of money and toward long-term, multi-year funding settlements. Our policy includes:

​Redirecting Funds: Shifting portions of the national budget for new, major road projects toward fixing the local roads people use every day.

​Preventative Maintenance: Investing in resurfacing every 15 years—the current national average has slipped to an appalling 93 years.  

​Empowering Councils: Giving local authorities the certainty they need to plan permanent repairs rather than temporary patches.  

​Take Action: Report and Track

​We encourage all residents to stay active in holding authorities to account. If there is a dangerous pothole in your area, don't wait for the council to find it—report it directly.

​Report a Pothole: Use FixMyStreet www.fixmystreet.com to alert your local council. It is the most effective way to ensure issues are logged and tracked.

​Check Your Area: View the national performance levels on the DfT Interactive Pothole Map.

​The Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for the investment our communities deserve, ensuring our roads are safe for everyone—whether you are behind the wheel, on a bike, or crossing the street.