More than three million potholes are set to be filled by local councils across the UK after the Government allocated £168M from a dedicated pothole repair fund to 148 authorities.

But industry commentators have said this is not nearly enough to address the £12Bn needed to bring the local road network into reasonable condition, as highlighted by the Asphalt Industry Alliance ALARM Survey published earlier in the year.

“While we welcome any extra funding, £168M is a drop in the ocean compared to the £12Bn backlog in roads maintenance,” a spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA) said.

Councils are required to publish quarterly progress updates on how many potholes have been repaired as a condition of receiving the money.

The LGA spokesperson continued: “We are disappointed to see the Government tie this funding to monthly reports on pothole repairs. Fixing potholes is a sticking plaster approach which does nothing to address the fundamental decay of the underlying road infrastructure. What we need is a considered, long term approach to road maintenance not annual announcements of emergency funding.”

Civil Engineering Contractors Association chief executive Alasdair Reisner said: “This announcement is the first step to addressing the damage caused by a maintenance backlog and exacerbated by recent extreme weather conditions.

“However, it is only the tip of the iceberg and must be part of a longer term strategy.”

The new funding is on top of the extra £185M the Government made available in March to help repair local roads damaged by severe weather.

(Photo: Alastair Lloyd)

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