Councils can now begin bidding for money
Councils can now apply for money under the Government’s Structures Fund so they can “renew vital infrastructure, including bridges, flyovers and tunnels.”
The fund is part of a previously announced £1 billion total package to enhance England’s roads.
The Department for Transport says that to “help councils put forward the strongest possible proposals, the Government has appointed consultants WSP to provide free guiance and hands-on support to all applicants, from reviewing cost estimates to helping develop delivery plans.”
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:
“Potholes are the usual poster child for the poor state of our roads but it is good to see the Government honouring its promise of financial help for addressing some of the more fundamental structural challenges highway authorities are facing to strengthen and repair the infrastructure that lies beneath the surface.
“Any additional funding for this important work is welcome, though our earlier analysis suggests demand for help is likely to far outstrip what’s available in what will hopefully be the first tranche of an ongoing programme of support.
“Highway authorities told us that just the number of sub-standard bridges needing attention runs into the hundreds, if not thousands.”
James Bailey, chairman of the engineering board at the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (Adept), told the Press Association:
“The scale of the challenge should not be underestimated.
“Our previous joint research with the RAC Foundation estimated a one-time cost of £5.86 billion to clear the maintenance backlog across England’s local authority bridges.
“The Structures Fund is a significant and welcome step, but it is the beginning of addressing a backlog that has built up over many years.”
The deadline for applications is 3 August 2026, with funding decisions announced in the autumn and successful schemes will need to be completed by March 2030.
Separately, ministers have announced that if councils fail to demonstrate that they are maintaining roads effectively could have their funding cut.
The Government says “councils must publish reports proving they are spending all of their highways cash purely on road maintenance, showing long-term plans for looking after roads and better training for their highways teams. These new measures mean taxpayers know exactly where their money is going and will start to see smoother roads and an end to the pothole plague.”
ENDS
Contacts:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
[email protected] | 07711 776448
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation which explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users.
It is a registered charity. Charity number: 1002705.
The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist. For more information visit www.racfoundation.org