Rochdale MP hails record road funding to tackle potholes and improve journeys

Wednesday, 3 December 2025 11:28

By David Murphy

A major increase in road repair funding has been welcomed by Paul Waugh MP, who says the investment will make a real difference to Rochdale’s roads after years of decline.

The Government has announced the largest-ever national investment in road maintenance, with £7.3 billion set aside to help councils fix potholes and improve surface quality. Rochdale’s share will come through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority under a new funding model aimed at fairness and transparency.

The total amount available to councils across the country has been doubled. It will be used to identify roads most in need of immediate attention and to deliver repairs that support safer, smoother journeys for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Under the changes, more than £500 million in funding is now linked to councils publishing clear maintenance plans and applying best practice, a sharp rise in transparency requirements from just 8% to over 30% of the national pot.

Paul Waugh, Labour MP for Rochdale, said: “At the election, Labour promised to fix an extra million potholes a year, and this Budget delivers. For years, people in Rochdale have put up with deteriorating roads, delays and the cost of vehicle repairs. We’re finally putting our money where our mouth is.

“This investment means better journeys for residents, safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians, and real improvements for local businesses that rely on good transport links. It shows the difference a Labour government makes, practical action that people will feel every day.”

He added: “Well-maintained roads keep communities connected and the economy moving. By doubling road-repair funding and insisting on higher transparency from local authorities, the Government is making sure every pound is spent where it is needed most.”

The funding builds on a recent £1.6 billion national commitment to local highway maintenance announced earlier this year, welcomed by Mr Waugh and Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell as a “major breakthrough” in improving Rochdale’s roads.

Local councils are expected to begin using the new money immediately, with further details on specific allocations to be published in the coming weeks.