By John Challen

August 2025 saw the launch of a CIHT report on Unlocking the benefits of longer-term funding for local roads, which highlighted a number of projects that were in the works to improve transportation. Beyond the England-specific examples in the report, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also benefiting from new, long-term funding.

In Wales, local roads have been included in a scheme that is unlocking up to £120m for local councils for improvements. One of the first locations to be upgraded is in Conwy County between Abergele and Llangernyw. The work will cover around 14km of resurfacing that will fix in the region of 4,000 potholes.

As part of the scheme – designed in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) – all 22 local authorities will be awarded funding. 

Other work that falls under the scheme include repairing five bridges on the M4, resurfacing, fixing and preventing over 1,000 potholes over 3.4 km in Caersws and a similar project on the Mold Bypass, dealing with more than 1,400 potholes over 4.9km.

In Scotland, £66m was granted as investment in transport to improve links and to “explore upgrades to the A75”. The UK Government is boosting investment across Scotland through two investment zones and multiple industrial sites. 

Renfrewshire Council will receive £38.7 million to link Paisley town centre with Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) and Glasgow Airport. In addition, “New walking, cycling, bus and car links will be built so local people can benefit from the growth of high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire,” according to the UK government.

Meanwhile, £23.7 million will be given to North Ayrshire Council for road upgrades, providing a faster route between the three towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston to Glasgow.

Away from the roads, but still transport-relevant, is confirmation of an investment of up to £40 million through ScotZEB2 (Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund) to support the purchase of up to 300 battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell buses by operators across Scotland.

Meanwhile, across the water

In Northern Ireland, a £700,000 road resurfacing works project has been announced for the coast road through Ballygally. The scheme will include approximately 2km of carriageway resurfacing and replacement of kerbs and footways. The work comes as part of the country’s new Road Maintenance Strategy, which is designed to improve the quality of Northern Ireland’s roads.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the condition of the road network is a concern, especially in rural areas, highlighting the contribution of long-term underinvestment.

“Investing in the maintenance of roads is critical to the movement of people, and the growth of our economy so I fully understand the frustration when our roads are not at the quality we would all like them to be,” she commented.