England's local roads are set to receive nearly £1.6 billion in funding for 2025-2026, a £500 million increase aimed at fixing around seven million potholes, although the benefits of this investment are not yet fully visible.

Despite the increased funding, winter weather has caused a 9% rise in pothole-related breakdowns between April and June, as freezing water expands cracks and worsens road damage.

The Department for Transport has announced a £24 billion investment over five years to improve roads, reduce potholes, and cut repair costs for drivers, with a focus on accountability for local councils.

Surface dressing, a preventative treatment that seals and waterproofs roads, is being promoted as a crucial summer maintenance activity to mitigate future pothole formation.

RAC policy head Simon Williams emphasized the importance of summer resurfacing and surface dressing to improve road conditions and reduce breakdowns, especially after the harsh winter impacts.

Local government representatives are calling for more long-term funding certainty to enable councils to innovate and respond effectively to changing weather impacts, with plans for a fairer share of the roads fund.

While the new funding is estimated to be sufficient to repair around seven million potholes, the benefits of these efforts are yet to be seen, and ongoing winter damage continues to challenge road maintenance.

The RAC notes that the recent increase in breakdowns is linked to severe winter conditions, which have created more potholes by freezing water in cracks, leading to higher call-out rates.

Williams hopes that councils are utilizing the summer months for preventative maintenance, including resurfacing and surface dressing, to improve road safety and reduce breakdowns.

Councils are actively seeking more stable funding to sustain preventative treatments and respond to weather-related road deterioration effectively.

Surface dressing is highlighted as a key preventative measure during warmer months, helping to seal roads and prevent future potholes, with councils encouraged to invest in such treatments.

The Department for Transport stresses that ongoing investment and accountability are essential to ending the pothole problem and ensuring drivers face fewer repair costs.